Compositions and methods for treating hair loss using non-naturally occurring prostaglandins

ABSTRACT

A method for treating hair loss in mammals uses compositions containing prostaglandin F analogs. The compositions can be applied topically to the skin. The compositions can arrest hair loss, reverse hair loss, and promote hair growth.

This application is a divisional of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/774,557 filed on Jan. 31, 2001, now abandoned,which claims priority, under 35 U.S.C. §119, of provisional applicationno. 60/193,645 filed on Mar. 31, 2000. This application claims thepriority of each of these applications, and fully incorporates thesubject matter thereof.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to compositions and methods for treating hairloss in mammals. More particularly, this invention relates tocompositions and methods for arresting or reversing hair loss, or both,and promoting hair growth.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hair loss is a common problem which is, for example, naturally occurringor chemically promoted through the use of certain therapeutic drugsdesigned to alleviate conditions such as cancer. Often such hair loss isaccompanied by lack of hair re-growth which causes partial or fullbaldness.

Hair growth on the scalp does not occur continuously, but rather occursby a cycle of activity involving alternating periods of growth and rest.This cycle is divided into three main stages; anagen, catagen, andtelogen. Anagen is the growth phase of the cycle and is characterized bypenetration of the hair follicle deep into the dermis with rapidproliferation of cells which are differentiating to form hair. The nextphase is catagen, which is a transitional stage marked by the cessationof cell division, and during which the hair follicle regresses throughthe dermis and hair growth ceases. The next phase, telogen, ischaracterized as the resting stage during which the regressed folliclecontains a germ with tightly packed dermal papilla cells. At telogen,the initiation of a new anagen phase is caused by rapid cellproliferation in the germ, expansion of the dermal papilla, andelaboration of basement membrane components. When hair growth ceases,most of the hair follicles reside in telogen and anagen is not engaged,thus causing the onset of full or partial baldness.

Attempts to invoke the re-growth of hair have been made by, for example,the promotion or prolongation of anagen. Currently, there are two drugsapproved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for thetreatment of male pattern baldness: topical minoxidil (marketed asROGAINE® by Pharmacia & Upjohn), and oral finasteride (marketed asPROPECIA® by Merck & Co., Inc.). However, the search for efficacioushair growth inducers is ongoing due to factors including safety concernsand limited efficacy.

The thyroid hormone thyroxine (“T4”) converts to thyronine (“T3”) inhuman skin by deiodinase I, a selenoprotein. Selenium deficiency causesa decrease in T3 levels due to a decrease in deiodinase I activity; thisreduction in T3 levels is strongly associated with hair loss. Consistentwith this observation, hair growth is a reported side effect ofadministration of T4. See, e.g., Berman, “Peripheral Effects ofL-Thyroxine on Hair Growth and Coloration in Cattle”, Journal ofEndocrinology, Vol. 20, pp. 282-292 (1960); and Gunaratnam, “The Effectsof Thyroxine on Hair Growth in the Dog”, J. Small Anim. Pract., Vol. 27,pp. 17-29 (1986). Furthermore, T3 and T4 have been the subject ofseveral patent publications relating to treatment of hair loss. See,e.g., Fischer et al., DE 1,617,477, published Jan. 8, 1970; Mortimer, GB2,138,286, published Oct. 24, 1984; and Lindenbaum, WO 96/25943,assigned to Life Medical Sciences, Inc., published Aug. 29, 1996.

Unfortunately, however, administration of T3 or T4, or both, to treathair loss is often not practicable because these thyroid hormones caninduce significant cardiotoxicity. See, e.g., Walker et al., U.S. Pat.No. 5,284,971, assigned to Syntex, issued Feb. 8, 1994 and Emmett etal., U.S. Pat. No. 5,061,798, assigned to Smith Kline & FrenchLaboratories, issued Oct. 29, 1991.

In an alternative approach, prostaglandins have been proposed to promotehair growth because prostaglandins may have a similar benefit to thyroidhormones, i.e., increasing hair length and changing pigmentation.Naturally occurring prostaglandins (e.g., PGA₂, PGB₂, PGE₁, PGF_(2α),and PGI₂) are C-20 unsaturated fatty acids. PGF_(2α), the naturallyoccurring Prostaglandin F analog in humans, is characterized by hydroxylgroups at the C9 and C11 positions on the alicyclic ring, a cis-doublebond between C5 and C6, and a trans-double bond between C13 and C14.PGF_(2α)has the formula:

Analogs of naturally occurring Prostaglandin F are known in the art. Forexample, see U.S. Pat. No. 4,024,179 issued to Bindra and Johnson on May17, 1977; German Pat. No. DT-002,460,990 issued to Beck, Lerch, Seeger,and Teufel published on Jul. 1, 1976; U.S. Pat. No. 4,128,720 issued toHayashi, Kori, and Miyake on Dec. 5, 1978; U.S. Pat. No. 4,011,262issued to Hess, Johnson, Bindra, and Schaaf on Mar. 8, 1977; U.S. Pat.No. 3,776,938 issued to Bergstrom and Sjovall on Dec. 4, 1973; P. W.Collins and S. W. Djuric, “Synthesis of Therapeutically UsefulProstaglandin and Prostacyclin Analogs”, Chem. Rev., Vol. 93, pp.1533-1564 (1993); G. L. Bundy and F. H. Lincoln, “Synthesis of17-Phenyl-18,19,20-Trinorprostaglandins: I. The PG₁ Series”,Prostaglandin, Vol. 9 No. 1, pp. 1-4 (1975); W. Bartman, G. Beck, U.Lerch, H. Teufel, and B. Scholkens, “Luteolytic Prostaglandin: Synthesisand Biological Activity”, Prostaglandin, Vol. 17 No. 2, pp. 301-311(1979); C. Iiljebris, G. Selen, B. Resul, J. Sternschantz, and U.Hacksell, “Derivatives of 17-Phenyl-18, 19,20-trinorprostaglandin F₂α.Isopropyl Ester: Potential Antiglaucoma Agents”, Journal of MedicinalChemistry, Vol. 38, No. 2, pp. 289-304 (1995).

Prostaglandins in general have a wide range of biological activities.For example, PGE₂ has the following properties: a) regulator of cellproliferation, b) regulator of cytokine synthesis, c) regulator ofimmune responses and d) inducer of vasodilatation. Vasodilatation isthought to be one of the mechanisms of how minoxidil provides a hairgrowth benefit. In vitro results in the literature also indicate someanti-inflammatory properties of the prostaglandins. c.f.; Tanaka, H. BrJ. Pharm., 116, 2298, (1995).

However, previous attempts at using prostaglandins to promote hairgrowth have been unsuccessful. Different prostaglandin analogs can bindto multiple receptors at various concentrations with a biphasic effect.Furthermore, administration of naturally occurring prostaglandins cancause side effects such as inflammation, surface irritation, smoothmuscle contraction, pain, and bronchoconstriction. Therefore, it is anobject of this invention to provide methods for using prostaglandinanalogs to grow hair and to provide compositions that promote hairgrowth in humans and lower animals. It is a further object of thisinvention to provide a selection of appropriate prostaglandin analogsthat will promote hair growth and that do not cause significantundesirable side effects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to compositions and methods for treating hairloss. The methods comprise administering the compositions comprisingspecific prostaglandin analogs that interact strongly withhair-selective receptors, such as the FP receptor. The choice ofprostaglandin analog is important because the prostaglandin analogs mustselectively activate the FP receptor and not activate any otherreceptors that would negate the effect of activating the FP receptor.The compositions comprise: component A) the prostaglandin analog,component B) a carrier, and optionally component C) an activityenhancer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to compositions and methods using prostaglandin Fanalogs (“PGF's”) to treat hair loss in mammals. “Treating hair loss”includes arresting hair loss or reversing hair loss, or both, andpromoting hair growth.

Publications and patents are referred to throughout this disclosure. AllU.S. Patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference.

All percentages, ratios, and proportions used herein are by weightunless otherwise specified.

Definition and Usage of Terms

The following is a list of definitions for terms, as used herein:

“Activate” means binding and signal transduction of a receptor.

“Acyl group” means a monovalent group suitable for acylating a nitrogenatom to form an amide or carbamate, an alcohol to form a carbonate, oran oxygen atom to form an ester group. Preferred acyl groups includebenzoyl, acetyl, tert-butyl acetyl, para-phenyl benzoyl, andtrifluoroacetyl. More preferred acyl groups include acetyl and benzoyl.The most preferred acyl group is acetyl.

“Aromatic group” means a monovalent group having a monocyclic ringstructure or fused bicyclic ring structure. Monocyclic aromatic groupscontain 5 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably 5 to 7 carbon atoms, and morepreferably 5 to 6 carbon atoms in the ring. Bicyclic aromatic groupscontain 8 to 12 carbon atoms, preferably 9 or 10 carbon atoms in thering. Aromatic groups are unsubstituted. The most preferred aromaticgroup is phenyl. Bicyclic aromatic groups include ring systems whereinone ring in the system is aromatic. Preferred bicyclic aromatic groupsare ring systems wherein both rings in the system are aromatic.Preferred aromatic rings include naphthyl and phenyl. The most preferredaromatic ring is phenyl.

“Carbocyclic group” means a monovalent saturated or unsaturatedhydrocarbon ring. Carbocyclic groups are monocyclic. Carbocyclic groupscontain 4 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably 4 to 7 carbon atoms, and morepreferably 5 to 6 carbon atoms in the ring. Carbocyclic groups areunsubstituted. Preferred carbocyclic groups include cyclopentyl,cyclohexyl, cyclohexenyl, cycloheptyl, and cyclooctyl. More preferredcarbocyclic groups include cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, and cyclooctyl. Themost preferred carbocyclic group is cycloheptyl. Carbocyclic groups arenot aromatic.

“FP agonist” means a compound that activates the FP receptor.

“FP receptor” means known human FP receptors, their splice variants, andundescribed receptors that have similar binding and activation profilesas the known human FP receptors. “FP” means the receptor is of the classwhich has the highest affinity for PGF_(2α) of all the naturallyoccurring prostaglandins. FP refers to a known protein.

“Halogen atom” means F, Cl, Br, or I. Preferably, the halogen atom is F,Cl, or Br; more preferably Cl or F; and most preferably F.

“Halogenated heterogenous group” means a substituted heterogenous groupor a substituted heterocyclic group, wherein at least one substituent isa halogen atom. Halogenated heterogenous groups can have a straight,branched, or cyclic structure. Preferred halogenated heterogenous groupshave 1 to 12 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and mostpreferably 1 to 3 carbon atoms. Preferred halogen atom substituents areCl and F.

“Halogenated hydrocarbon group” means a substituted monovalenthydrocarbon group or a substituted carbocyclic group, wherein at leastone substituent is a halogen atom. Halogenated hydrocarbon groups canhave a straight, branched, or cyclic structure. Preferred halogenatedhydrocarbon groups have 1 to 12 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 6carbon atoms, and most preferably 1 to 3 carbon atoms. Preferred halogenatom substituents are Cl and F. The most preferred halogenatedhydrocarbon group is trifluoromethyl.

“Heteroaromatic group” means an aromatic ring containing carbon and 1 to4 heteroatoms in the ring. Heteroaromatic groups are monocyclic or fusedbicyclic rings. Monocyclic heteroaromatic groups contain 5 to 10 memberatoms (i.e., carbon and heteroatoms), preferably 5 to 7, and morepreferably 5 to 6 in the ring. Bicyclic heteroaromatic rings contain 8to 12 member atoms, preferably 9 or 10 in the ring. Heteroaromaticgroups are unsubstituted. Bicyclic heteroaromatic groups include ringsystems in which only one ring is aromatic. Preferred bicyclicheteroaromatic groups are ring systems in which both rings are aromatic.Preferred monocyclic heteroaromatic groups include thienyl, thiazolyl,purinyl, pyrimidyl, pyridyl, and furanyl. More preferred monocyclicheteroaromatic groups include thienyl, furanyl, and pyridyl. The mostpreferred monocyclic heteroaromatic group is thienyl. Preferred bicyclicheteroaromatic rings include benzothiazolyl, benzothiophenyl,quinolinyl, quinoxalinyl, benzofuranyl, benzimidazolyl, benzoxazolyl,indolyl, and anthranilyl. More preferred bicyclic heteroaromatic ringsinclude benzothiazolyl, benzothiophenyl, and benzoxazolyl.

“Heteroatom” means an atom other than carbon in the ring of aheterocyclic group or the chain of a heterogeneous group. Preferably,heteroatoms are selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, sulfur,and oxygen atoms. Groups containing more than one heteroatom may containdifferent heteroatoms.

“Heterocyclic group” means a saturated or unsaturated ring structurecontaining carbon and 1 to 4 heteroatoms in the ring. No two heteroatomsare adjacent in the ring, and no carbon in the ring that has aheteroatom bonded to it also has a hydroxyl, amino, or thiol groupbonded to it. Heterocyclic groups are not aromatic. Heterocyclic groupsare monocyclic. Heterocyclic groups contain 4 to 10 member atoms (i.e.,including both carbon atoms and at least 1 heteroatom), preferably 4 to7, and more preferably 5 to 6 in the ring. Heterocyclic groups areunsubstituted. Preferred heterocyclic groups include piperzyl,morpholinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydropyranyl, and piperdyl.

“Heterogeneous group” means a saturated or unsaturated chain containing1 to 18 member atoms (i.e., including both carbon and at least oneheteroatom). No two heteroatoms are adjacent. Preferably, the chaincontains 1 to 12 member atoms, more preferably 1 to 6. “Lowerheterogeneous” means a heterogeneous group having 1 to 6, preferably 1to 3, member atoms. The chain may be straight or branched. Preferredbranched heterogeneous groups have one or two branches, preferably onebranch. Preferred heterogeneous groups are saturated. Unsaturatedheterogeneous groups have one or more double bonds, one or more triplebonds, or both. Preferred unsaturated heterogeneous groups have one ortwo double bonds or one triple bond. More preferably, the unsaturatedheterogeneous group has one double bond. Heterogeneous groups areunsubstituted.

“Monovalent hydrocarbon group” means a chain of 1 to 18, preferably 1 to12, carbon atoms. “Lower monovalent hydrocarbon group” means amonovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 6, preferably 1 to 3, carbonatoms. Monovalent hydrocarbon groups may have a straight chain orbranched chain structure. Preferred monovalent hydrocarbon groups haveone or two branches, preferably 1 branch. Preferred monovalenthydrocarbon groups are saturated. Unsaturated monovalent hydrocarbongroups have one or more double bonds, one or more triple bonds, orcombinations thereof. Preferred unsaturated monovalent hydrocarbongroups have one or two double bonds or one triple bond; more preferredunsaturated monovalent hydrocarbon groups have one double bond.

“Pharmaceutically acceptable” means suitable for use in a human or othermammal.

“Prostaglandin” means a fatty acid derivative which has a variety ofpotent biological activities of a hormonal or regulatory nature.

“Protecting group” is a group that replaces the active hydrogen of ahydroxyl moiety thus preventing undesired side reaction at the hydroxylmoiety. Use of protecting groups in organic synthesis is well known inthe art. Examples of protecting groups are found in Chapter 2 ProtectingGroups in Organic Synthesis by Greene, T. W. and Wuts, P. G. M., 2^(nd)ed., Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1991. Preferred protecting groups include silylethers, alkoxymethyl ethers, tetrahydropyranyl, tetrahydrofuranyl,esters, and substituted or unsubstituted benzyl ethers.

“Safe and effective amount” means a quantity of a prostaglandin highenough to provide a significant positive modification of the subject'scondition to be treated, but low enough to avoid serious side effects(at a reasonable benefit/risk ratio).

“Selective” means having a binding or activation preference for aspecific receptor over other receptors which can be quantitated basedupon receptor binding or activation assays.

“Subject” means a living, vertebrate, hair- or fur-bearing animal suchas a mammal (preferably human) in need of treatment.

“Substituted aromatic group” means an aromatic group wherein 1 to 4 ofthe hydrogen atoms bonded to carbon atoms in the ring have been replacedwith other substituents. Preferred substituents include: halogen atoms,cyano groups, monovalent hydrocarbon groups, substituted monovalenthydrocarbon groups, heterogeneous groups, substituted heterogeneousgroups, aromatic groups, substituted aromatic groups, or any combinationthereof. More preferred substituents include halogen atoms, halogenatedmonovalent hydrocarbon groups, phenyl groups, and phenoxy groups.Preferred substituted aromatic groups include naphthyl. The substituentsmay be substituted at the ortho, meta, or para position on the ring, orany combination thereof. The preferred substitution pattern on the ringis ortho or meta. The most preferred substitution pattern is ortho.

“Substituted carbocyclic group” means a carbocyclic group wherein 1 to 4hydrogen atoms bonded to carbon atoms in the ring have been replacedwith other substituents. Preferred substituents include: halogen atoms,cyano groups, monovalent hydrocarbon groups, monovalent heterogeneousgroups, substituted monovalent hydrocarbon groups, substitutedheterogeneous groups, aromatic groups, substituted aromatic groups, orany combination thereof. More preferred substituents include halogenatoms, halogenated monovalent hydrocarbon groups, phenyl groups, andphenoxy groups.

“Substituted heteroaromatic group” means a heteroaromatic group wherein1 to 4 hydrogen atoms bonded to carbon atoms in the ring have beenreplaced with other substituents. The substituents include halogenatoms, acyl groups, cyano groups, monovalent hydrocarbon groups,substituted monovalent hydrocarbon groups, heterogeneous groups,substituted heterogeneous groups, aromatic groups, substituted aromaticgroups, heteroaromatic groups, substituted heteroaromatic groups, andany combination thereof. Preferred substituents include halogen atoms,cyano groups, monovalent hydrocarbon groups, substituted monovalenthydrocarbon groups, heterogeneous groups, substituted heterogeneousgroups, phenyl groups, phenoxy groups, or any combination thereof. Morepreferred substituents include halogen atoms, halogenated hydrocarbongroups, monovalent hydrocarbon groups, halogenated heterogenous groups,and phenyl groups.

“Substituted heterocyclic group” means a heterocyclic group wherein 1 to4 hydrogen atoms bonded to carbon atoms in the ring have been replacedwith other substituents. Preferred substituents include: halogen atoms,cyano groups, monovalent hydrocarbon groups, substituted monovalenthydrocarbon groups, heterogeneous groups, substituted heterogeneousgroups, aromatic groups, substituted aromatic groups, or any combinationthereof. More preferred substituents include halogen atoms, halogenatedhydrocarbon groups, phenyl groups, phenoxy groups, or any combinationthereof. Substituted heterocyclic groups are not aromatic.

“Substituted heterogeneous group” means a heterogeneous group, wherein 1to 4 of the hydrogen atoms bonded to carbon atoms in the chain have beenreplaced with other substituents. Preferably substituted heterogeneousgroups are mono, di, or trisubstituted. Preferred substituents includehalogen atoms, hydroxy groups, carboxy groups, aryloxy groups (e.g.,phenoxy, chlorophenoxy, tolyloxy, methoxyphenoxy, benzyloxy,alkyloxycarbonylphenoxy, and acyloxyphenoxy), acyloxy groups (e.g.,propionyloxy, benzoyloxy, and acetoxy), aromatic groups (e.g., phenyland tolyl), substituted aromatic groups (e.g., alkoxyphenyl,alkoxycarbonylphenyl, and halophenyl), heterocyclic groups,heteroaromatic groups, substituted heterocyclic groups, and amino groups(e.g., amino, mono- and di-alkylamino having 1 to 3 carbon atoms,methylphenylarnino, methylbenzylamino, alkanylamido groups of 1 to 3carbon atoms, carbamamido, ureido, and guanidino).

“Substituted monovalent hydrocarbon group” means a monovalenthydrocarbon group wherein 1 to 4 of the hydrogen atoms bonded to carbonatoms in the chain have been replaced with other substituents. Preferredsubstituted monovalent hydrocarbon groups are mono, di, ortrisubstituted. Preferred substituents include halogen atoms; lowermonovalent hydrocarbon groups; hydroxy groups; aryloxy groups (e.g.,phenoxy, chlorophenoxy, tolyloxy, methoxyphenoxy, benzyloxy,alkyloxycarbonylphenoxy, and acyloxyphenoxy); acyloxy groups (e.g.,propionyloxy, benzoyloxy, and acetoxy); carboxy groups; monocyclicaromatic groups; monocyclic heteroaromatic groups; monocycliccarbocyclic groups, monocyclic heterocyclic groups, and amino groups(e.g., amino, mono- and di-alkanylamino groups of 1 to 3 carbon atoms,methylphenylamino, methylbenzylamino, alkanylamido groups of 1 to 3carbon atoms, carbamamido, ureido, and guanidino).

Prostaglandins Used in the Invention

This invention relates to the use of prostaglandin F analogs (PGF's) totreat hair loss. Suitable PGF's can have a structure selected from thegroup consisting of:

The PGF can also be selected from the group consisting ofpharmaceutically acceptable salts and hydrates of the structures above;biohydrolyzable amides, esters, and imides of the structures above; andoptical isomers, diastereomers, and enantiomers of the structures above.Thus, at all stereocenters where stereochemistry is not defined (C₁₁,C₁₂, and C₁₅), both epimers are envisioned. Preferred stereochemistry atall such stereocenters of the compounds of the invention mimic that ofnaturally occurring PGF_(2α). A combination of two or more PGF's canalso be used.

R¹ is selected from the group consisting of C(O)OH, C(O)NHOH, C(O)OR³,CH₂OH, S(O)₂R³, C(O)NHR³, C(O)NHS(O)₂R⁴, tetrazole, a cationic saltmoiety, a pharmaceutically acceptable amine or ester comprising 2 to 13carbon atoms, and a biometabolizable amine or ester comprising 2 to 13atoms. Preferably, R¹ is selected from the group consisting of CO₂H,C(O)NHOH, CO₂R³, C(O)NHS(O)₂R⁴, and tetrazole. More preferably, R¹ isselected from the group consisting of CO₂H and CO₂R³.

R² is selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, a lowerheterogenous group, and lower monovalent hydrocarbon groups. Preferably,R² is a hydrogen atom.

R³is selected from the group consisting of a monovalent hydrocarbongroup, a heterogeneous group, a carbocyclic group, a heterocyclic group,an aromatic group, a heteroaromatic group, a substituted monovalenthydrocarbon group, a substituted heterogeneous group, a substitutedcarbocyclic group, a substituted heterocyclic group, a substitutedaromatic group, and a substituted heteroaromatic group. Preferably, R³is selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, and isopropyl

R⁴ is selected from the group consisting of a monovalent hydrocarbongroup, a heterogeneous group, a carbocyclic group, a heterocyclic group,an aromatic group, a heteroaromatic group, a substituted monovalenthydrocarbon group, a substituted heterogeneous group, a substitutedcarbocyclic group, a substituted heterocyclic group, a substitutedaromatic group, and a substituted heteroaromatic group. Preferably, R⁴is a phenyl group.

X is divalent. X is selected from the group consisting of —C≡C—, acovalent bond, —CH═C═CH—, —CH═CH—, —CH═N—, —C(O)—, —C(O)Y—, —(CH₂)_(n)—,wherein n is 2 to 4, —CH₂NH—, —CH₂S—, and —CH₂O—.

Y is selected from the group consisting of O, S, and NH.

Z is selected from the group consisting of a carbocyclic group, aheterocyclic group, an aromatic group, a heteroaromatic group, asubstituted carbocyclic group, a substituted heterocyclic group, asubstituted aromatic group, and a substituted heteroaromatic group.

Preferably, when X is a covalent bond, Z is selected from the groupconsisting of an aromatic group, a heteroaromatic group, a substitutedaromatic group, and a substituted heteroaromatic group. More preferably,when X is a covalent bond, Z is a bicyclic heteroaromatic group.

Preferably, when X is —C≡C—, Z is a monocyclic aromatic group. Morepreferably, when X is —C≡C—, Z is selected from the group consistng offuranyl, thienyl, and phenyl.

Bonds shown as dashed lines in the second structure above indicate thatthose bonds may optionally be double or triple bonds. For example, whenR¹ is C(O)OH in the structure:

The bond at the C2-C3 position may be a single bond or a double bond.The bond at the C5-C6 position may be a single, double, or triple bond.The bond at the C13-C14 position may be a single, double, or triplebond.

Examples of PGF's' having the structure:

which are suitable for component A) are shown below in Tables 1 and 2.

TABLE 1 Examples of Suitable PGF's for Component A)13,14-dihydro-16,17-Z-didehyro-17- (2-fluorophenyl)-17-trinor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-16,17-E-didehyro-17- (2-fluorophenyl)-17-trinor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-E-16,17-didehyro-17- phenyl-17-trinor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-E-16,17-didehyro-17- (2, 4-dichlorophenyl)-17-trinorPGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-E-16,17-didehyro-17- (2-fluoro-4-methylphenyl)-17-trinorPGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-E-16,17-didehyro-17- (2-fluoro-5-chlorophenyl)-17-trinorPGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-E-16,17-didehyro-17- (2, 5-difluorophenyl)-17-trinorPGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-E-16,17-didehyro-17- (2-fluoro-3-chlorophenyl)-17-trinorPGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-E-16,17-didehyro-17- (2-fluoro-3-methoxyphenyl)-17-trinorPGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-16,17-didehyro-17- (3-fluorophenyl)-17-trinor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-16,17-didehyro-17-(4- fluorophenyl)-17-trinor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-E-16,17-didehyro-17- (3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-17-trinorPGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-16,17,17,18-dienyl-18- phenyl-18-dinor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-16,17,17,18-dienyl- 18-(2-fluorophenyl)-18-dinor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-16,17,17,18-dienyl-18- (2, 4-difluorophenyl)-18-dinorPGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-16,17,17,18-dienyl- 18-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-18-dinorPGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-16,17,17,18-dienyl-18- (4-methoxyphenyl)-18-dinor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-16,17-didehydro-17- (2-fluorophenyl)-17-trinor PGF_(1α)1-hydroxamic acid

13,14-dihydro-16,17,17,18-dienyl-18- phenyl-18-dinorPGF_(2α)1-hydroxamic acid

13,14-dihydro-16,17-didehydro-17- 3-fluorophenyl-17-trinor PGF_(1α)1-N-methanesulfonamide

13,14-dihydro-16-oxo-16-phenyl-16- tetranorPGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-16-oxo-16-(3, 5- difluorophenyl)-16-tetranor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-16-oxo-16-(2-furanyl)- 16-tetranor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-16-oxo-16-(3-chloro- 5-methylphenyl)-16-tetranor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-16-oxo-16-(6- fluorobenzo-[b]-furanyl-16-(tetranorPGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-16-oxo-16-(2- benzo[b]thienyl)-16-tetranor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-16-oxo16-(2- benzothiazolyl)-16-tetranor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-16-oxo-16-(3, 5- difluorophenyl)-16-tetranor PGF_(1α)1-hydroxamic acid

13,14-dihydro-16-oxo-16-(4- methylphenyl)-16-tetranor PGF_(1α)1-hydroxamic acid

13,14-dihydro--16-oxo-16-(2- benzo[b]thienyl)-16-tetranor PGF_(1α)1-N-methanesulfonamide

13,14-dihydro-16-oxo-17-aza-17- phenyl-17-trinor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-16-oxo-17-aza-17- (3, 4-difluorophenyl)-17-trinor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-16-oxo-17-aza-17-(2- furyl)-17-trinor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-16-oxo-17-aza-17-(2- fluorophenyl)-17-trinor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-16-oxo-16-phenoxy-16- tetranor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-16-oxo-16-(2- fluorophenoxy)-16-tetranor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-16-oxo-16-(3- trifluoromethylphenoxy)-16-tetranor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-16-oxo-17-aza-17- (3, 4-difluorophenyl)-17-trinor PGF_(1α)1-hydroxamic acid

13,14-dihydro-16-oxo-17-amino-17- (3-chlorophenyl)-17-trinor PGF_(1α)1-hydroxamic acid:

13,14-dihydro-16-oxo-17-amino-17- phenyl-17-trinor PGF_(1α) 1-methanesulfonamide

13,14-dihydro-16,17-didehydro-17- aza-17-phenyl-17-trinor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-16,17-didehydro-17- aza-17-(2-fluorophenyl)-17-trinorPGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-16,17-didehydro-17- aza-17-(2-furanyl)-17-trinor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-16-oxo-17-aza--17- (4-phenylphenyl)-17-trinor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-16,17-didehydro-17- aza-17-(3-fluorophenyl)-17-trinorPGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-16,17-didehydro-17- aza-17-(2-furanyl)-17-trinor PGF_(1α)1-hydroxamic acid

13,14-dihydro-16,17-didehydro-17- aza-17-(3 -chlorophenyl)-17-trinorPGF_(1α) 1-hydroxamic acid

13,14-dihydro-16,17-didehydro-17- aza-17-(2-thienyl)-17-trinor PGF_(1α)1-methanesulfonamide

Where Me in the table above represents a methyl group.

The PGF's in Table 1 can be prepared using conventional organicsyntheses. Preferred syntheses are carried out using reaction schemes 1,2, and 3. Scheme 1 describes a general reaction scheme for making PGFswherein X is —CH═CH—(Formula I) or —CH═C═CH—(Formula II). Scheme 2describes a general reaction scheme for making PGFs wherein X is—C(O)—(Formula III) or —C(O)Y—(Formula IV). Scheme 3 describes a generalreaction scheme for making PGFs wherein X is —CH═N—(Formula V).

In Scheme 1, R¹ and Z are as defined above. The methyl7(3-(R)-hydroxy-5-oxo-1-cyclopent-1-yl) heptanoate (S1a) depicted asstarting material for Scheme 1 is commercially available (such as fromSumitomo Chemical or Cayman Chemical).

In Scheme 1, methyl 7-(3-(R)-hydroxy-5-oxo-1-cyclopent-1-yl) heptanoate(S1a) is reacted with a silylating agent and base in a solvent that willallow the silylation to proceed. Preferred silylating agents includetert-butyldimethylsilyl chloride and tert-butyldimethylsilyltrifluoromethanesulphonate. The most preferred silylating agent istert-butyldimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulphonate. Preferred basesinclude triethylamine, trimethylamine, and 2,6-lutidine. More preferredbases include triethylamine and 2,6-lutidine. The most preferred base is2,6-lutidine. Preferred solvents include halogenated hydrocarbonsolvents with dichloromethane being the most preferred solvent. Thereaction is allowed to proceed at a temperature of preferably −100° C.to 100° C., more preferably −80° C. to 80° C., and most preferably −70°C. to 23° C.

The resulting silylated compound is isolated by methods known to one ofordinary skill in the art. Such methods include extraction, solventevaporation, distillation, and crystallization. Preferably, the silylether is purified after isolation by distillation under vacuum.

The silylated compound is then reacted with the cuprate generated viaGrignard formation of the appropriate alkenyl bromide as disclosed, forexample, in the following references: H. O. House et. al., “TheChemistry of Carbanions: A Convenient Precursor for the Generation ofLithium Organocuprates”, J. Org. Chem. Vol. 40 (1975) pp. 1460-69; andP. Knochel et. al., “Zinc and Copper Carbenoids as Efficient andSelective a′/d′ Multicoupling Reagents”, J. Amer. Chem. Soc. Vol. 111(1989) p. 6474-76. Preferred alkenyl bromides include 4-bromo-1-butene,4-bromo-1-butyne, 4-bromo-2-methyl-1-butene, and4-bromo-2-ethyl-1-butene. The most preferred alkenyl bromide is4-bromo-1-butene. Preferred solvents include ethereal solvents, of whichdiethyl ether and tetrahydrofuran are preferred. The most preferredsolvent is tetrahydrofuran. The Grignard reagent is allowed to form at atemperature of 100° C. to 23° C., more preferably 85° C. to 30° C., andmost preferably 75° C. to 65° C. The reaction time is preferably 1 to 6hours, more preferably 2 to 5 hours, and most preferably 3 to 4 hours.

Once the Grignard reagent is formed, the cuprate is generated from thealkenyl magnesium species. The temperature range for cuprate formationis −100° C. to 0° C. The preferred temperature range is −80° C. to −20°C. The more preferred temperature range is −75° C. to −50° C. Thepreferred reaction time is 30 minutes to 6 hours, more preferably 45minutes to 3 hours. The most preferred reaction time is 1 to 1.5 hours.

The alkene thus formed is isolated by methods known to one of ordinaryskill in the art. Such methods include extraction, solvent evaporation,distillation, and crystallization. Preferably, the alkene is purified byflash chromatography on silica gel (Merck, 230-400 mesh) using 10%EtOAc/hexanes as the eluent. (EtOAc represents ethyl acetate.)

The alkene is then reacted with a hydride reducing agent and a polar,protic solvent to give the C-9 alcohol. Preferred reducing agentsinclude lithium aluminum hydride, sodium borohydride, and L-selectride.More preferred reducing agents include sodium borohydride, andL-selectride. The most preferred reducing agent is sodium borohydride.Preferred solvents include methanol, ethanol, and butanol. The mostpreferred solvent is methanol. The reduction is carried out at atemperature of 31 100° C. to 23° C. The preferred temperature range is−60° C. to 0° C. The most preferred temperature range is −45° C. to −20°C.

The resulting alcohol is isolated by methods known to one of ordinaryskill in the art. Such methods include extraction, solvent evaporation,distillation, and crystallization. Preferably, the alcohol is purifiedby flash chromatography on silica gel (Merck, 230-400 mesh) using 20%EtOAc/hexanes as the eluent.

The resultant alcohol can be protected as described previously herein.Preferred silylating agents in this case also includetert-butyldimethylsilyl chloride and tert-butyldimethylsilyltrifluoromethanesulfonate. The most preferred silylating agent istert-butyldimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate. Preferred basesinclude triethylamine, trimethylamine, and 2,6-lutidine. More preferredbases include triethylamine and 2,6-lutidine. The most preferred base is2,6-lutidine. Preferred solvents include halogenated hydrocarbonsolvents with dichloromethane being the most preferred solvent. Thereaction is allowed to proceed at a temperature of preferably −100° C.to 100° C., more preferably −80° C. to 80° C., and most preferably −70°C. to 23° C.

The resulting silylated compound, S1b is isolated by methods known toone of ordinary skill in the art. Such methods include extraction,solvent evaporation, distillation, and crystallization. Preferably, thesilyl ether is purified after isolation by distillation under vacuum,giving compound S1b.

The protected alcohol is then treated with a form of osmium and sodiumperiodate in a solvent in which both are soluble. Preferred forms ofosmium include osmium tetraoxide and potassium osmate. Preferred solventsystems include 1:1 mixtures of acetic acid and water and 1:1:2 mixturesof water, acetic acid and THF. (THF represents tetrahydrofuran.) Theresult of this treatment is the aldehyde, S1c.

The compound S1c is isolated by methods known to one of ordinary skillin the art. Such methods include extraction, solvent evaporation,distillation, and crystallization. Preferably, S1c is purified by flashchromatography on silica gel (Merck, 230-400 mesh) using 20%EtOAc/hexanes as the eluent.

The key intermediate aldehyde depicted as S1c can be reacted with avariety of unsaturated alkenyl anion nucleophiles to provide the C-9 andC-11-protected 13,14-dihydro-prostaglandin F_(1α) derivatives.

The resulting compounds can be isolated, but are generally deprotectedusing techniques known to one of ordinary skill in the art, andoptionally, manipulated at C-1 to provide the desired acid derivative atR¹. For example, the condensation of a methyl ester with an amine or ahydroxylamine provides an amide or a hydroxamic acid compound,respectively. After any such manipulation at C-1, the compounds areisolated as the final 13,14-dihydro-15-substituted-15-pentanorprostaglandin F_(1α) derivative, Formula I.

Compounds depicted by Formula II can be made directly from intermediateS1c in a manner similar to that for compounds depicted by Formula Isubstituting the appropriate allene anion. With allene nucleophiles, thereaction is carried out preferably at −80° C. to 0° C., more preferably−80° C. to −20° C., and most preferably −80° C. to −40° C. Preferredbases for the reaction include n-butyl lithium, s-butyl lithium, andt-butyl lithium. The most preferred base is n-butyl lithium. Preferredsolvents for the reaction are ether solvents. Preferred solvents includediethyl ether, and tetrahydrofuran. The most preferred solvent istetrahydrofuran. With heterocyclic nucleophiles, preferred solventsinclude ethereal solvents. More preferred ethereal solvents includediethyl ether, dibutyl ether and tetrahydrofuiran. The most preferredethereal solvent is tetrahydrofuran. After isolation, similar C-1manipulations and/or deprotection of the functional groups ensues usingtechniques known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

In Scheme 2, R¹, Y, and Z are as defined above. The protected alcoholS1b (from Scheme 1) is treated with a hydroborating reagent in anethereal solvent, followed by oxidative removal of the boron reagentwith a suitable oxidant to give a compound of the type S2a. Preferredhydroborating reagents include monochloroborane-dimethylsulfide,diborane, borane-tetrahydrofuran and borane-dimethylsulfide. The mostpreferred hydroborating reagent is borane-dimethylsulfide. Preferredethereal solvents include THF and diethyl ether. The most preferredsolvent is THF. The reaction is carried out from about 1 to about 24hours at a temperature of about −20° C. to about +30° C. The preferredtemperature range is about 0° C. to about +20° C. The hydroboratedproduct of this reaction may then be oxidatively removed to the alcoholusing alkaline hydrogen peroxide (See Boranes in Organic Chemistry, H.C. Brown, Cornell University Press, Ithaca, N.Y. 1972, pp. 321-325),which may then be oxidized to either the aldehyde (W=H) or to the acid(W=OH) using methods known to one of ordinary skill in the art.Alternatively, the hydroborated product may be directly oxidized to thealdehyde or acid by treatment with chromic acid or a Cr(VI) salt. Suchsalts include pyridinium chlorochromate (PCC) and dichlorochromate. SeeBrown, H. C.; Kulkarni, Rao, and Patil, Tetrahedron, 1986, 45515. Thepreferred method is treatment of the hydroborated product with PCC indichloromethane at room temperature. The result of these manipulationsis a compound of the type S2a.

The compound S2a is isolated by methods known to one of ordinary skillin the art. Such methods include extraction, solvent evaporation,distillation, and crystallization. Preferably, S2a is purified by flashchromatography on silica gel (Merck, 230-400 mesh) using 20%EtOAc/hexanes as the eluent with 0.1% acetic acid added if W=OH.

The key intermediate aldehyde depicted as S2a can be reacted with avariety unsaturated carbon nucleophiles to provide the C-9 andC-11-protected 13,14-dihydro-16-tetranor prostaglandin F_(1α)derivatives of Formula III.

With aromatic and heteroaromatic nucleophiles, the reaction is carriedout preferably at −80° C. to 0° C., more preferably −80° C. to −20° C.,and most preferably −80° C. to −40° C. Preferred bases for the reactioninclude n-butyl lithium, s-butyl lithium, lithium diisopropylamide, andt-butyl lithium. The most preferred base is n-butyl lithium. Preferredsolvents for the reaction are ether solvents. Preferred solvents includediethyl ether, and tetrahydrofuran. The most preferred solvent istetrahydrofuran. With heterocyclic nucleophiles, preferred solventsinclude ethereal solvents. More preferred ethereal solvents includediethyl ether, dibutyl ether and tetrahydrofuran. The most preferredethereal solvent is tetrahydrofuran.

The resulting alcohol can be isolated, but is generally oxidized as acrude isolate. The oxidation of benzylic alcohols to benzylic ketones iswell known in the art. The preferred reagents to effect this reactioninclude KMnO₄, MnO₂, chromic acid, Jones' reagent, Collins' reagent, andPCC. The most preferred method is oxidation at room temperature indichloromethane with PCC for about 4 hours. The ketones are isolated bycolumn chromatography using 20% hexanes/ethyl acetate as solvent. Theester is then removed using standard conditions. See Greene and Wuts,Protecting Groups in Organic Synthesis, Wiley Interscience, N.Y. pp.224-276. The free acid is then treated with 2.1 equivalents of a strongnitrogen base to effect deprotonation both of the acid and adjacent tothe benzylic ketone. Such bases include LDA. This enolate is reactedwith a peroxidizing agent which has the effect of oxidizing the compoundto deliver the alpha-hydroxy ketone. Such reagents includemeta-chloroperoxybenzoic acid, dimethyl dioxirane, Davis' reagent andperacetic acid. The crude product may be isolated or the remainingprotecting groups may be removed. At this point manipulation of the acidat C-1 may take place. For example, re-esterifying, making the amide,the hydroxamic acid or the sulfonamide using methods known to one ofordinary skill in the art may be performed to yield compounds accordingto Formula III.

Compounds depicted by Formula IV can be made from intermediate S2b. Inthis case, condensation of the free acid is readily achieved with avariety of alcohols and amines, either by the use of coupling agentssuch as dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (“DCC”), or by activating the acidwith, for example, oxalyl chloride. Following this is the selectiveremoval of the methyl esters as described in Greene and Wuts, ProtectingGroups in Organic Synthesis, Wiley Interscience, N.Y. pp. 224-276, andthe oxidation of the ester enolates using the same technique describedabove for the ketone intermediates. Similarly, as described above, theremaining protecting groups are removed and the desired manipulation ofC-1 is effected, yielding compounds of Formula IV.

In Scheme 3, R¹ and Z are as defined above. The alkene S1b (fromScheme 1) is treated with an osmium salt and with an optional catalystreoxidant, preferably N-methyl morpholine N-oxide (“NMO”), to give thediol. This diol is isolated by extraction and purified by silica gelchromatography. The diol is then oxidized selectively to the alphahydroxy aldehyde. This may be accomplished in several ways. For example,a selective oxidant such as DMSO-oxalyl chloride may be used. (“DMSO”represents dimethylsulfoxide.) Alternatively, the primary alcohol may beselectively protected, then the secondary alcohol protected, then theprotection on the primary alcohol may then be removed and the alcoholoxidized as described above in Scheme II. However, the preferred methodis the addition of a o-bromo-benzyl bromide protecting group, which canbe removed with concomitant oxidation by tributyl tin hydride and likereagents. This technique yields compounds of the type S3a, wherein Q═H.From this step follows the condensation of the aldehyde with an amine toform an imine of the type S3b. Appropriate removal of protecting groupsand manipulation of C-1 as stated above in Schemes I and II yieldscompounds of Formula V.

TABLE 2 Examples of Suitable PGF's 13,14-dihydro-15-(2-benzothienyl)-15-pentanor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-15-(2-benzothiazolyl)- 15-pentanor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-15-(8-fluoro-2- benzothiazolyl)-15-pentanor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-16,17-ynyl17-(2,5- difluorophenyl)-17-trinor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-16,17-ynyl-17-(2,3- difluorophenyl)-17-trinor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-16,17-ynyl-17-(3,5- difluorophenyl)-17-trinor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-16,17-ynyl-17-(3,4- difluorophenyl)-17-trinor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-15-(6-fluoro-2- benzothienyl)-15-pentanor PGF_(1α)

3,14-dihydro-16,17-ynyl-17-(2,4- difluorophenyl)-17-trinor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-16,17-ynyl-17-(3- fluorophenyl)-17-trinor PGF_(1α) methylester

13,14-dihydro-16,17-ynyl-17-(2- fluoro-4-methylphenyl)-17-trinorPGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-16,17-ynyl-17-(4- chlorophenyl)-17-trinor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-16,17-ynyl-17-phenyl- 17-trinor PGF_(1α) isopropyl ester

13,14-dihydro-16,17-ynyl-17-(4- fluorophenyl)-17-trinor PGF_(1α) ethylester

13,14-dihydro-15-(5-fluoro-2- benzothiazolyl)-15-pentanor PGF_(1α)isopropyl ester

13,14-dihydro-16,17-ynyl-17-(2- chlorophenyl)-17-trinor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-16,17-ynyl-17-(2- fluorophenyl)-17-trinor PGF_(1α) methylester

13,14-dihydro-16,17-ynyl-17-(2- fluorophenyl)-17-trinor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-16,17-ynyl-17-(4- phenyl-phenyl)-17-trinor PGF_(1α)

13,14 dihydro-16,17-ynyl-18-phenyl- 18-dinor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-16,17-ynyl-17-(4- methylphenyl)-17-trinor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-16,17-ynyl-18-(2- fluorophenyl)-18-dinor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-15-phenyl-15-pentanor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-15-(4-methylphenyl)- 15-pentanor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-15-(4- trifluoromethylphenyl)-15-pentanor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-15-(3- trifluoromethylphenyl)-15-pentanor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-15-(2-fluorophenyl)-15-pentanor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-15-(3,5 difluorophenyl)-15-pentanor PGF_(1α) ethyl ester

13,14-dihydro-15-(3-chloro-4-fluoro-6- methylphenyl)-15pentanor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-15-(3-pyridinyl)-15-pentanor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-15-(2-chlorophenyl)-15- pentanor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-15-(4-phenylphenyl)- 15-pentanor PGF_(1α) methyl ester

13,14-dihydro-15-S-(2-fluorophenyl)- 15-pentanor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-15-S-(2- fluoronaphthyl)-15-pentanor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-15-(3-fluoro-4-pyridyl)- 15-pentanor PGF_(1α) isopropylester

13,14-dihydro-15-(6-methylnaphth- 2-yl)-15-pentanor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-15-(benzo(b)thiophen- 5-yl)-15-pentanor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-15-(6-benzothiazol-5- yl)-15-pentanor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-15-(benzofuran-5-yl)- 15-pentanor PGF_(1α) methyl ester

13,14-dihydro-15-(5-fluoronaphth-1- yl)-15-pentanor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-15-(8-fluoro-2- naphthyl)-15-pentanor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-15-(8-trifluoromethyl- 2-naphthyl)-15-pentanor PGF_(1α)

13,14-dihydro-15-(1-fluoro-3- trifluoromethyl-2-naphthyl)-15- pentanorPGF_(1α) isopropyl ester

13,14-dihydro-16,17-ynyl-17-(2- fluorophenyl)-17-trinor PGF_(1α)hydroxamic acid

13,14-dihydro-15-(benzothiazolyl)-15- pentanor PGF_(1α) 1-hydroxamicacid

13,14-dihydro-15-(4-fluoro-2- benzothienyl)-15-pentanor PGF_(1α)1-hydroxamic acid

13,14-dihydro-15-(2-benzothienyl)-15-pentanor PGF_(1α) 1-N-methanesulfonamide

The PGF's in Table 2 can be prepared by conventional organic syntheses.A preferred synthesis is reaction scheme 4.

In Scheme 4, R¹, R², X, and Z are as defined above. The methyl7(3-(R)-hydroxy-5-oxo-1-cyclopent-1-yl) heptanoate (S4a) depicted asstarting material for Scheme 4 is commercially available (such as fromSumitomo Chemical or Cayman Chemical).

The C₁₁, alcohol of methyl 7-(3-(R)-hydroxy-5-oxo-1-cyclopent-1-yl)heptanoate (S4a) is protected with a suitable protecting group. The mostpreferred protecting group is a silyl group. In the above Scheme 4,methyl 7-(3-(R)-hydroxy-5-oxo-1-cyclopent-1-yl) heptanoate (S4a) isreacted with a silylating agent and base in a solvent that will allowthe silylation to proceed. Preferred silylating agents includetert-butyldimethylsilyl chloride and tert-butyldimethylsilyltrifluoromethanesulphonate. The most preferred silylating agent istert-butyldimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulphonate. Preferred basesinclude triethylamine, trimethylamine, and 2,6-lutidine. More preferredbases include triethylamine and 2,6-lutidine. The most preferred base is2,6-lutidine. Preferred solvents include halogenated hydrocarbonsolvents with dichloromethane being the most preferred solvent. Thereaction is allowed to proceed at a temperature of preferably −100° C.to 100° C., more preferably −80° C. to 80° C., and most preferably −70°C. to 23° C.

The resulting silylated compound is isolated by methods known to thoseof ordinary skill in the art. Such methods include extraction, solventevaporation, distillation, and crystallization. Preferably, the silylether is purified after isolation by distillation under vacuum.

The silylated compound is then reacted with the cuprate generated viaGrignard formation of the appropriate alkenyl bromide as disclosed, forexample, in the following references: H. O. House et. al., “TheChemistry of Carbanions: A Convenient Precursor for the Generation ofLithium Organocuprates”, J. Org. Chem., Vol. 40, pp. 1460-69 (1975); andP. Knochel et. al., “Zinc and Copper Carbenoids as Efficient andSelective a′/d′ Multicoupling Reagents”, J. Amer. Chem. Soc., Vol. 111,p. 6474-76 (1989). Preferred alkenyl bromides include 4-bromo-1-butene,4-bromo-1-butyne, 4-bromo-2-methyl-1-butene, and4-bromo-2-ethyl-1-butene. The most preferred alkenyl bromide is4-bromo-1-butene. Preferred solvents include ethereal solvents, of whichdiethyl ether and tetrahydrofuran are preferred. The most preferredsolvent is tetrahydrofuran. The Grignard reagent is allowed to form at atemperature of 100° C. to 23° C., more preferably 85° C. to 30° C., andmost preferably 75° C. to 65° C. The reaction time is preferably 1 to 6hours, more preferably 2 to 5 hours, and most preferably 3 to 4 hours.

Once the Grignard reagent is formed, the cuprate is generated from thealkenyl magnesium species. The temperature range for cuprate formationis −100° C. and 0° C. The preferred temperature range is −80° C. to −20°C., more preferably −75° C. to −50° C. The preferred reaction time is 30minutes to 6 hours, more preferably 45 minutes to 3 hours, and mostpreferably 1 to 1.5 hours.

The alkene thus formed is isolated by methods known to one of ordinaryskill in the art. Such methods include, but are not limited to,extraction, solvent evaporation, distillation, and crystallization.Preferably, the alkene is purified by flash chromatography on silica gel(Merck, 230-400 mesh) using 10% EtOAc/hexanes as the eluent. The alkeneis then reacted with a hydride reducing agent and a polar, proticsolvent to give the C-9 alcohol. Preferred reducing agents includelithium aluminum hydride, sodium borohydride, and L-selectride. Morepreferred reducing agents include sodium borohydride, and L-selectride.The most preferred reducing agent is sodium borohydride. Preferredsolvents include methanol, ethanol, and butanol. The most preferredsolvent is methanol. The reduction is carried out at a temperaturebetween −100° C. and 23° C. The preferred temperature range is −60° C.to 0° C. The most preferred temperature range is −45° C. to −20° C.

The resulting alcohol is isolated by methods known to one of ordinaryskill in the art. Such methods include, but are not limited to,extraction, solvent evaporation, distillation, and crystallization.Preferably, the alcohol is purified by flash chromatography on silicagel (Merck, 230-400 mesh) using 20% EtOAc/hexanes as the eluent.

The resultant alcohol can be protected as described previously herein.Preferred silylating agents in this case also includetert-butyldimethylsilyl chloride and tert-butyldimethylsilyltrifluoromethanesulfonate. The most preferred silylating agent istert-butyldimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate. Preferred basesinclude triethylamine, trimethylamine, and 2,6-lutidine. More preferredbases include triethylamine and 2,6-lutidine. The most preferred base is2,6-lutidine. Preferred solvents include halogenated hydrocarbonsolvents with dichloromethane being the most preferred solvent. Thereaction is allowed to proceed at a temperature of preferably −100° C.to 100° C., more preferably −80° C. to 80° C., and most preferably −70°C. to 23° C.

The resulting silylated compound is isolated by methods known to thoseof ordinary skill in the art. Such methods include, but are not limitedto, extraction, solvent evaporation, distillation, and crystallization.Preferably, the silyl ether is purified after isolation by distillationunder vacuum

The protected or alcohol is then treated with a form of osmium, andsodium periodate in a solvent where they are both soluble. Preferredforms of osmium include osmium tetraoxide and potassium osmate.Preferred solvent systems include 1:1 mixtures of acetic acid and waterand 1:1:2 mixtures of water, acetic acid and THF. The result of thistreatment is the aldehyde, S4b.

The compound S4b is isolated by methods known to one of ordinary skillin the art. Such methods include, but are not limited to, extraction,solvent evaporation, distillation, and crystallization. Preferably, S4bis purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (Merck, 230-400 mesh)using 20% EtOAc/hexanes as the eluent.

The key intermediate aldehyde depicted as S4b can be reacted with avariety unsaturated carbon nucleophiles to provide the C-9 andC-11-protected 13,14-dihydro-16-tetranor prostaglandin F_(1α)derivatives depicted as S4c.

With alkyne nucleophiles, the reaction is carried out preferably at −80°C. to 0° C., more preferably −80° C. to −20° C., and most preferably−80° C. to −40° C. Preferred bases for the reaction include n-butyllithium, s-butyl lithium, t-butyl lithium, and lithium diisopropyl amide(“LDA”). Preferred solvents for the reaction are ether solvents.Preferred solvents include diethyl ether, and tetrahydrofuran. The mostpreferred solvent is tetrahydrofuran. With heterocyclic nucleophiles,preferred solvents include ethereal solvents. More preferred etherealsolvents include diethyl ether, dibutyl ether and tetrahydrofuran. Themost preferred ethereal solvent is tetrahydrofuran.

The resulting compounds depicted as S4c can then be deprotected usingtechniques known to one of ordinary skill in the art, and isolatedyielding the 13,14-dihydro-15-substituted-15-pentanor prostaglandinF_(1α) derivatives depicted by Formula VI.

Compounds depicted by Formula VII can be made directly from the C-9 andC-11-protected 13,14-dihydro-16-tetranor prostaglandin F_(1α)derivatives depicted as S4c by methods known to one of ordinary skill inthe art. For example, the condensation of methyl esters of S4c withamines or hydroxylamine provides compounds depicted by Formula VII.These compounds are isolated by methods known to one of ordinary skillin the art. Such methods include extraction, solvent evaporation,distillation, and crystallization.

Examples of PGF's having the structure:

which are suitable for component A) include: cloprostenol (estrumate),fluprostenol (equimate), tiaprost, alfaprostol, delprostenate,froxiprost, 9-alpha, 11-alpha,15-alpha-trihydroxy-16-(3-chlorophenoxy)-omega-tetranor-prosta-4-cis-13-trans-dienoicacid, latanoprost and their analogs; and13,14-dihydro-16-((3-trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-16-tetranor prostaglandinF_(1α), 17-((3-trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-17-trinor-prostaglandin F_(2α)and its analogs, 13,14-dihydro-18-thienyl-18-dinor prostaglandin F_(1α)and their analogs. Additional PGF's are also disclosed in CRC Handbookof Eicosanoids: Prostaglandins and Related Lipids, Volume I, Chemicaland Biochemical Aspects, Part B. Ed. by Anthony L. Willis, CRC Press,Boca Raton, Table Four, pp. 80-97 (1987) and references therein.

Preferred PGF's of the present invention are further selective for theFP receptor over an excitatory prostaglandin receptor in a ratio of1:10, preferably from 1:20, more preferably from 1:50.

Compositions of the Invention

This invention further relates to a composition for treating hair loss.“Treating hair loss” means arresting hair loss, reversing hair loss, orboth, and promoting hair growth. The composition comprises component A)the PGF described above and component B) a carrier. The composition mayfurther comprise component C) one or more optional activity enhancers.

The composition can be a pharmaceutical or cosmetic composition,administered for treatment or prophylaxis of hair loss. Standardpharmaceutical formulation techniques are used, such as those disclosedin Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mack Publishing Company, Easton,Pa. (1990).

The composition further comprises component B) a carrier. “Carrier”means one or more compatible substances that are suitable foradministration to a mammal. Carrier includes solid or liquid diluents,hydrotopes, surface-active agents, and encapsulating substances.“Compatible” means that the components of the composition are capable ofbeing commingled with the PGF's, and with each other, in a manner suchthat there is no interaction which would substantially reduce theefficacy of the composition under ordinary use situations. Carriers mustbe of sufficiently high purity and sufficiently low toxicity to renderthem suitable for administration to the mammal being treated. Thecarrier can be inert, or it can possess pharmaceutical benefits,cosmetic benefits, or both.

The choice of carrier for component B) depends on the route by which A)the PGF will be administered and the form of the composition. Thecomposition may be in a variety of forms, suitable, for example, forsystemic administration (e.g., oral, rectal, nasal, sublingual, buccal,or parenteral) or topical administration (e.g., local application on theskin, ocular, liposome delivery systems, or iontophoresis). Topicaladministration directly to the locus of desired hair growth ispreferred.

Carriers for systemic administration typically comprise one or moreingredients selected from the group consisting of a) diluents, b)lubricants, c) binders, d) disintegrants, e) colorants, f) flavors, g)sweeteners, h) antioxidants, j) preservatives, k) glidants, m) solvents,n) suspending agents, o) surfactants, combinations thereof, and others.

Ingredient a) is a diluent. Suitable diluents include sugars such asglucose, lactose, dextrose, and sucrose; polyols such as propyleneglycol; calcium carbonate; sodium carbonate; glycerin; mannitol;sorbitol; and maltodextrin.

Ingredient b) is a lubricant. Suitable lubricants are exemplified bysolid lubricants including silica, talc, stearic acid and its magnesiumsalts and calcium salts, calcium sulfate; and liquid lubricants such aspolyethylene glycol and vegetable oils such as peanut oil, cottonseedoil, sesame oil, olive oil, corn oil and oil of theobroma.

Ingredient c) is a binder. Suitable binders includepolyvinylpyrrolidone; magnesium aluminum silicate; starches such as cornstarch and potato starch; gelatin; tragacanth; and cellulose and itsderivatives, such as sodium carboxymethylcellulose, ethylcellulose,methylcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, andhydroxypropylmethylcellulose; carbomer; providone; acacia; guar gum; andxanthan gum.

Ingredient d) is a disintegrant. Suitable disintegrants include agar,alginic acid and the sodium salt thereof, effervescent mixtures,croscarmelose, crospovidone, sodium carboxymethyl starch, sodium starchglycolate, clays, and ion exchange resins.

Ingredient e) is a colorant such as an FD&C dye.

Ingredient f) is a flavor such as menthol, peppermint, and fruitflavors.

Ingredient g) is a sweetener such as saccharin and aspartame.

Ingredient h) is an antioxidant such as butylated hydroxyanisole,butylated hydroxytoluene, and vitamin E.

Ingredient j) is a preservative such as phenol, alkyl esters ofparahydroxybenzoic acid, benzoic acid and the salts thereof, boric acidand the salts thereof, sorbic acid and the salts thereof, chorbutanol,benzyl alcohol, thimerosal, phenylmercuric acetate and nitrate,nitromersol, benzalkonium chloride, cetylpyridinium chloride, methylparaben, and propyl paraben. Particularly preferred are the salts ofbenzoic acid, cetylpyridinium chloride, methyl paraben and propylparaben, and sodium benzoate.

Ingredient k) is a glidant such as silicon dioxide.

Ingredient m) is a solvent, such as water, isotonic saline, ethyloleate, alcohols such as ethanol, glycerin, glycols (e.g., polypropyleneglycol and polyethylene glycol), and buffer solutions (e.g., phosphate,potassium acetate, boric carbonic, phosphoric, succinic, malic,tartaric, citric, acetic, benzoic, lactic, glyceric, gluconic, glutaricand glutamic).

Ingredient n) is a suspending agent. Suitable suspending agents includeAVICEL® RC-591 from FMC Corporation of Philadelphia, Pa. and sodiumalginate.

Ingredient o) is a surfactant such as lecithin, polysorbate 80, sodiumlauryl sulfate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters,polyoxyethylene monoalkyl ethers, sucrose monoesters, lanolin esters,and lanolin ethers. Suitable surfactants are known in the art andcommercially available, e.g., the TWEENS® from Atlas Powder Company ofWilmington, Del.

Compositions for parenteral administration typically comprise A) 0.1 to10% of a PGF and B) 90 to 99.9% of a carrier comprising a) a diluent,and m) a solvent. Preferably, component a) is propylene glycol and m) isethanol or ethyl oleate.

Compositions for oral administration can have various dosage forms. Forexample, solid forms include tablets, capsules, granules, and bulkpowders. These oral dosage forms comprise a safe and effective amount,usually at least 5%, and preferably from 25% to 50%, of A) the PGF. Theoral dosage compositions further comprise B) 50 to 95% of a carrier,preferably 50 to 75%.

Tablets can be compressed, tablet triturates, enteric-coated,sugar-coated, film-coated, or multiple-compressed. Tablets typicallycomprise A) the PGF, and B) a carrier comprising ingredients selectedfrom the group consisting of a) diluents, b) lubricants, c) binders, d)disintegrants, e) colorants, f) flavors, g) sweeteners, k) glidants, andcombinations thereof. Preferred diluents include calcium carbonate,sodium carbonate, mannitol, lactose and cellulose. Preferred bindersinclude starch, gelatin, and sucrose. Preferred disintegrants includealginic acid, and croscarmelose. Preferred lubricants include magnesiumstearate, stearic acid, and talc. Preferred colorants are the FD&C dyes,which can be added for appearance. Chewable tablets preferably containg) sweeteners such as aspartame and saccharin, or f) flavors such asmenthol, peppermint, and fruit flavors.

Capsules (including time release and sustained release formulations)typically comprise A) the PGF, and B) a carrier comprising one or morea) diluents disclosed above in a capsule comprising gelatin. Granulestypically comprise A) the PGF, and preferably further comprise k)glidants such as silicon dioxide to improve flow characteristics.

The selection of ingredients in the carrier for oral compositionsdepends on secondary considerations like taste, cost, and shelfstability, which are not critical for the purposes of this invention.One skilled in the art can optimize appropriate ingredients withoutundue experimentation.

The solid compositions may also be coated by conventional methods,typically with pH or time-dependent coatings, such that A) the PGF isreleased in the gastrointestinal tract at various times to extend thedesired action. The coatings typically comprise one or more componentsselected from the group consisting of cellulose acetate phthalate,polyvinylacetate phthalate, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose phthalate,ethyl cellulose, acrylic resins such as EUDRAGIT® coatings (availablefrom Rohm & Haas G.M.B.H. of Darmstadt, Germany), waxes, shellac,polyvinylpyrrolidone, and other commercially available film-coatingpreparations such as Dri-Klear, manufactured by Crompton & KnowlesCorp., Mahwah, N.J. or OPADRY® manufactured by Colorcon, Inc., of WestPoint, Pa.

Compositions for oral administration can also have liquid forms. Forexample, suitable liquid forms include aqueous solutions, emulsions,suspensions, solutions reconstituted from non-effervescent granules,suspensions reconstituted from non-effervescent granules, effervescentpreparations reconstituted from effervescent granules, elixirs,tinctures, syrups, and the like. Liquid orally administered compositionstypically comprise A) the PGF and B) a carrier comprising ingredientsselected from the group consisting of a) diluents, e) colorants, and f)flavors, g) sweeteners, j) preservatives, m) solvents, n) suspendingagents, and o) surfactants. Peroral liquid compositions preferablycomprise one or more ingredients selected from the group consisting ofe) colorants, f) flavors, and g) sweeteners.

Other compositions usefuil for attaining systemic delivery of thesubject compounds include sublingual, buccal and nasal dosage forms.Such compositions typically comprise one or more of soluble fillersubstances such as a) diluents including sucrose, sorbitol and mannitol;and c) binders such as acacia, microcrystalline cellulose,carboxymethylcellulose, and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose. Suchcompositions may further comprise b) lubricants, e) colorants, f)flavors, g) sweeteners, h) antioxidants, and k) glidants.

The compositions may further comprise component C) an optional activityenhancer. Component C) is preferably selected from the group consistingof i) hair growth stimulants (other than the PGF) and ii) penetrationenhancers.

Component i) is an optional hair growth stimulant. Component i) isexemplified by vasodilators, antiandrogens, cyclosporins, cyclosporinanalogs, antimicrobials, anti-inflammatories, thyroid hormones, thyroidhormone derivatives, and thyroid hormone analogs, non-selectiveprostaglandin agonists or antagonists, retinoids, triterpenes,combinations thereof, and others. “Non-selective prostaglandin” agonistsand antagonists differ from component A) in that they do not selectivelyactivate the FP receptor, and they may activate other receptors.

Vasodilators such as potassium channel agonists including minoxidil andminoxidil derivatives such as aminexil and those described in U.S. Pat.Nos. 3,382,247, 5,756,092, 5,772,990, 5,760,043, 5,466,694, 5,438,058,4,973,474, and cromakalin and diazoxide can be used as optional hairgrowth stimulants in the composition.

Examples of suitable antiandrogens include 5-α-reductase inhibitors suchas finasteride and those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,516,779, and inNane et al., Cancer Research 58, “Effects of Some Novel Inhibitors ofC17,20-Lyase and 5α-Reductase in vitro and in vivo and Their PotentialRole in the Treatment of Prostate Cancer,” as well as cyproteroneacetate, azelaic acid and its derivatives and those compounds describedin U.S. Pat. No. 5,480,913, flutamide, and those compounds described inU.S. Pat. Nos. 5,411,981, 5,565,467, and 4,910,226.

Antimicrobials include selenium sulfide, ketoconazole, triclocarbon,triclosan, zinc pyrithione, itraconazole, asiatic acid, hinokitiol,mipirocin and those described in EPA 0,680,745, clinacycinhydrochloride, benzoyl peroxide, benzyl peroxide and minocyclin.

Examples of suitable anti-inflammatories include glucocorticoids such ashydrocortisone, mometasone furoate and prednisolone, nonsteroidalanti-inflammatories including cyclooxygenase or lipoxygenase inhibitorssuch as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,756,092, and benzydamine,salicylic acid, and those compounds described in EPA 0,770,399,published May 2, 1997, WO 94/06434, published Mar. 31, 1994, and FR2,268,523, published Nov. 21, 1975.

3,5,3′-Triiodothyronine is an example of a suitable thyroid hormone.

Examples of suitable non-selective prostaglandins agonists andantagonists include compounds such as those described in WO 98/33497,Johnstone, published Aug. 6, 1998, WO 95/11003, Stjernschantz, publishedApr. 27, 1995, JP 97-100091, Ueno and JP 96-134242, Nakamura.

Suitable retinoids include isotretinoin, acitretin, and tazarotene.

Other optional hair growth stimulants for component i) includebenzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, phenol, estradiol,chlorpheniramine maleate, chlorophyllin derivatives, cholesterol,salicylic acid, cysteine, methionine, red pepper tincture, benzylnicotinate, D,L - menthol, peppermint oil, calcium pantothenate,panthenol, castor oil, prednisolone, resorcinol, chemical activators ofprotein kinase C, glycosaminoglycan chain cellular uptake inhibitors,inhibitors of glycosidase activity, glycosaminoglycanase inhibitors,esters of pyroglutamic acid, hexosaccharic acids or acylatedhexosaccharic acids, aryl-substituted ethylenes, N-acylated amino acids,flavinoids, ascomycin derivatives and analogs, histamine antagonistssuch as diphenhydramine hydrochloride, triterpenes such as oleanolicacid and ursolic acid and those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,529,769,5,468,888, 5,631,282, and 5,679,705, JP 10017431, WO 95/35103, JP09067253, WO 92/09262, JP 62093215, and JP 08193094; saponins such asthose described in EP 0,558,509 to Bonte et al., published Sep. 8, 1993and WO 97/01346 to Bonte et al, published Jan. 16, 1997, proteoglycanaseor glycosaminoglycanase inhibitors such as those described in U.S. Pat.Nos. 5,015,470, 5,300,284, and 5,185,325, estrogen agonists andantagonists, pseudoterins, cytokine and growth factor promoters, analogsor inhibitors such as interleukin-1 inhibitors, interleukin-6inhibitors, interleukin-10 promoters, and tumor necrosis factorinhibitors, vitamins such as vitamin D analogs and parathyroid hormoneantagonists, Vitamin B12 analogs and panthenol, interferon agonists andantagonists, hydroxyacids such as those described in U.S. Pat. No.5,550,158, benzophenones, and hydantoin anticonvulsants such asphenytoin, and combinations thereof.

Other additional hair growth stimulants are described in JP 09-157,139to Tsuji et al., published Jun. 17, 1997; EP 0277455 A1 to Mirabeau,published Aug. 10, 1988; WO 97/05887 to Cabo Soler et al., publishedFeb. 20, 1997; WO 92/16186 to Bonte et al., published Mar. 13, 1992; JP62-93215 to Okazaki et al., published Apr. 28, 1987; U.S. Pat. No.4,987,150 to Kurono et al., issued Jan. 22, 1991; JP 290811 to Ohba etal., published Oct. 15, 1992; JP 05-286,835 to Tanaka et al., publishedNov. 2, 1993, FR 2,723,313 to Greff, published Aug. 2, 1994, U.S. Pat.No. 5,015,470 to Gibson, issued May 14, 1991, U.S. Pat. No. 5,559,092,issued Sep. 24, 1996, U.S. Pat. No. 5,536,751, issued Jul. 16, 1996,U.S. Pat. No. 5,714,515, issued Feb. 3, 1998, EPA 0,319,991, publishedJun. 14, 1989, EPA 0,357,630, published Oct. 6, 1988, EPA 0,573,253,published Dec. 8, 1993, JP 61-260010, published Nov. 18, 1986, U.S. Pat.No. 5,772,990, issued Jun. 30, 1998, U.S. Pat. No. 5,053, 410, issuedOct. 1, 1991, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,761,401, issued Aug. 2, 1988.

The most preferred activity enhancers are minoxidil and finasteride,most preferably minoxidil.

Component ii) is a penetration enhancer that can be added to all of thecompositions for systemic administration. The amount of component ii),when present in the composition, is typically 1 to 5%. Examples ofpenetration enhancers include 2-methyl propan-2-ol, propan-2-ol,ethyl-2-hydroxypropanoate, hexan-2,5-diol, polyoxyethylene(2) ethylether, di(2-hydroxypropyl) ether, pentan-2,4-diol, acetone,polyoxyethylene(2) methyl ether, 2-hydroxypropionic acid,2-hydroxyoctanoic acid, propan-1-ol, 1,4-dioxane, tetrahydrofuran,butan-1,4-diol, propylene glycol dipelargonate, polyoxypropylene 15stearyl ether, octyl alcohol, polyoxyethylene ester of oleyl alcohol,oleyl alcohol, lauryl alcohol, dioctyl adipate, dicapryl adipate,di-isopropyl adipate, di-isopropyl sebacate, dibutyl sebacate, diethylsebacate, dimethyl sebacate, dioctyl sebacate, dibutyl suberate, dioctylazelate, dibenzyl sebacate, dibutyl phthalate, dibutyl azelate, ethylmyristate, dimethyl azelate, butyl myristate, dibutyl succinate, didecylphthalate, decyl oleate, ethyl caproate, ethyl salicylate, isopropylpalmitate, ethyl laurate, 2-ethyl-hexyl pelargonate, isopropylisostearate, butyl laurate, benzyl benzoate, butyl benzoate, hexyllaurate, ethyl caprate, ethyl caprylate, butyl stearate, benzylsalicylate, 2-hydroxypropanoic acid, 2-hydroxyoctanoic acid, dimethylsulphoxide, N,N-dimethyl acetamide, N,N-dimethyl formamide,2-pyrrolidone, 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, 5-methyl-2-pyrrolidone,1,5-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidone, 1-ethyl-2-pyrrolidone, phosphine oxides,sugar esters, tetrahydrofurfural alcohol, urea, diethyl-m-toluamide,1-dodecylazacyloheptan-2-one, omega three fatty acids and fish oils, andcombinations thereof.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the PGF's are topicallyadministered. Topical compositions that can be applied locally to theskin may be in any form including solutions, oils, creams, ointments,gels, lotions, shampoos, leave-on and rinse-out hair conditioners,milks, cleansers, moisturizers, sprays, skin patches, and the like.Topical compositions comprise: component A) the PGF described above andcomponent B) a carrier. The carrier of the topical compositionpreferably aids penetration of the PGF's into the skin to reach theenvironment of the hair follicle. Topical compositions preferablyfurther comprise C) one or more of the optional activity enhancersdescribed above.

The exact amounts of each component in the topical composition depend onvarious factors. The amount of component A) depends on the IC₅₀ of thePGF selected. “IC₅₀” means inhibitory concentration 50^(th) percentile.The amount of component A) added to the topical composition is:IC ₅₀×10⁻²≧% of component A)≧IC ₅₀×10⁻³,where IC₅₀ is expressed in nanomolar units. For example, if the IC₅₀ ofthe PGF is 1 nM, the amount of component A) will be 0.001 to 0.01%. Ifthe IC₅₀ of the PGF is 10 nM, the amount of component A) will be 0.01 to0.1%. If the IC₅₀ of the PGF is 100 nM, the amount of component A) willbe 0.1 to 1.0%. If the IC₅₀ of the PGF is 1000 nM, the amount ofcomponent A) will be 1.0 to 10%, preferably 1.0 to 5%. If the amount ofcomponent A) is outside the ranges specified above (i.e., either higheror lower), efficacy of the treatment may be reduced. IC₅₀ can becalculated according to the method in Reference Example 1, below. Oneskilled in the art can calculate IC₅₀ without undue experimentation.

The topical composition preferably further comprises 1 to 20% componentC), and a sufficient amount of component B) such that the amounts ofcomponents A), B), and C), combined equal 100%. The amount of B) thecarrier employed in conjunction with the PGF is sufficient to provide apractical quantity of composition for administration per unit dose ofthe compound. Techniques and compositions for making dosage forms usefulin the methods of this invention are described in the followingreferences: Modem Pharmaceutics, Chapters 9 and 10, Banker & Rhodes,eds. (1979); Lieberman et al., Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms: Tablets(1981); and Ansel, Introduction to Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, 2^(nd)Ed., (1976).

Component B) the carrier may comprise a single ingredient or acombination of two or more ingredients. In the topical compositions,component B) is a topical carrier. Preferred topical carriers compriseone or more ingredients selected from the group consisting of water,alcohols, aloe vera gel, allantoin, glycerin, vitamin A and E oils,mineral oil, propylene glycol, polypropylene glycol-2 myristylpropionate, dimethyl isosorbide, combinations thereof, and the like.More preferred carriers include propylene glycol, dimethyl isosorbide,and water.

The topical carrier may comprise one or more ingredients selected fromthe group consisting of q) emollients, r) propellants, s) solvents, t)humectants, u) thickeners, v) powders, and w) fragrances in addition to,or instead of, the preferred topical carrier ingredients listed above.One skilled in the art would be able to optimize carrier ingredients forthe topical compositions without undue experimentation.

Ingredient q) is an emollient. The amount of ingredient q) in thetopical composition is typically 5 to 95%. Suitable emollients includestearyl alcohol, glyceryl monoricinoleate, glyceryl monostearate,propane-1,2-diol, butane-1,3-diol, mink oil, cetyl alcohol, isopropylisostearate, stearic acid, isobutyl palmitate, isocetyl stearate, oleylalcohol, isopropyl laurate, hexyl laurate, decyl oleate, octadecan-2-ol,isocetyl alcohol, cetyl palmitate, di-n-butyl sebacate, isopropylmyristate, isopropyl palmitate, isopropyl stearate, butyl stearate,polyethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, lanolin, sesame oil, coconutoil, arachis oil, castor oil, acetylated lanolin alcohols, petrolatum,mineral oil, butyl myristate, isostearic acid, palmitic acid, isopropyllinoleate, lauryl lactate, myristyl lactate, decyl oleate, myristylmyristate, polydimethylsiloxane, and combinations thereof. Preferredemollients include stearyl alcohol and polydimethylsiloxane.

Ingredient r) is a propellant. The amount of ingredient r) in thetopical composition is typically 5 to 95%. Suitable propellants includepropane, butane, isobutane, dimethyl ether, carbon dioxide, nitrousoxide, and combinations thereof.

Ingredient s) is a solvent. The amount of ingredient s) in the topicalcomposition is typically 5 to 95%. Suitable solvents include water,ethyl alcohol, methylene chloride, isopropanol, castor oil, ethyleneglycol monoethyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, diethyleneglycol monoethyl ether, dimethylsulfoxide, dimethyl formamide,tetrahydrofuran, and combinations thereof. Preferred solvents includeethyl alcohol.

Ingredient t) is a humectant. The amount of ingredient t) in the topicalcomposition is typically 5 to 95%. Suitable humectants include glycerin,sorbitol, sodium 2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylate, soluble collagen, dibutylphthalate, gelatin, and combinations thereof. Preferred humectantsinclude glycerin.

Ingredient u) is a thickener. The amount of ingredient u) in the topicalcomposition is typically 0 to 95%.

Ingredient v) is a powder. The amount of ingredient v) in the topicalcomposition is typically 0 to 95%. Suitable powders include chalk, talc,fullers earth, kaolin, starch, gums, colloidal silicon dioxide, sodiumpolyacrylate, tetra alkyl ammonium smectites, trialkyl aryl ammoniumsmectites, chemically modified magnesium aluminum silicate, organicallymodified montmorillonite clay, hydrated aluminum silicate, fumed silica,carboxyvinyl polymer, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, ethylene glycolmonostearate, and combinations thereof.

Ingredient w) is a fragrance. The amount of ingredient w) in the topicalcomposition is typically 0.001 to 0.5%, preferably 0.001 to 0.1%.

Component C) the optional activity enhancer is as described above. Anyof the i) hair growth stimulants and ii) penetration enhancers may beadded to the topical compositions. Preferably, the topical compositioncomprises 0.01 to 15% of component i) the optional hair growthstimulant. More preferably, the composition comprises 0.1 to 10%, andmost preferably 0.5 to 5% of component i). Preferably, the topicalcomposition comprises 1 to 5% of component ii).

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, topical pharmaceuticalcompositions for ocular administration are prepared by conventionalmethods. Topical pharmaceutical compositions for ocular administrationtypically comprise A) a PGF, B) a carrier, such as purified water, andone or more ingredients selected from the group consisting of y) sugarssuch as dextrans, particularly dextran 70, z) cellulose or a derivativethereof, aa) a salt, bb) disodium EDTA (Edetate disodium), and cc) a pHadjusting additive.

Examples of z) cellulose derivatives suitable for use in the topicalpharmaceutical composition for ocular administration include sodiumcarboxymethyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, andhydroxypropylmethylcellulose. Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose is preferred.

Examples of aa) salts suitable for use in the for use in the topicalpharmaceutical composition for ocular administration include sodiumchloride, potassium chloride, and combinations thereof.

Examples of cc) pH adjusting additives include HCl or NaOH in amountssufficient to adjust the pH of the topical pharmaceutical compositionfor ocular administration to 7.2-7.5.

This invention further relates to a method for darkening hair,thickening hair, and reversing hair graying. The method comprisesapplying the topical composition for treating hair loss to hair, to skinin the locus of hair, or both. For example, the topical composition maybe applied to hair growing on the scalp or eyelashes. The topicalcomposition can be, for example, a cosmetic composition prepared asdescribed above. An example of a composition that may be applied toeyelashes is a mascara. The PGF may be added to mascara compositionsknown in the art, such as the mascara described in U.S. Pat. No.5,874,072, which is hereby incorporated by reference. The mascarafurther comprises dd) a water-insoluble material, ee) a water-soluble,film-forming polymer, ff) a wax, o) a surfactant, gg) a pigment, and s)a solvent.

Ingredient dd) is a water-insoluble material selected from the groupconsisting of acrylate copolymers; styrene/acrylate/methacrylatecopolymers; acrylic latex; styrene/acrylic ester copolymer latex;polyvinylacetate latex; vinyl acetate/ethylene copolymer latex;styrene/butadiene copolymer latex; polyurethane latex;butadiene/acrylonitrile copolymer latex; styrene/acrylate/acrylonitrilecopolymer latex; and mixtures thereof, wherein the acrylate copolymers,and the styrene/acrylate/methacrylate copolymers additionally compriseammonia, propylene glycol, a preservative and a surfactant.

Ingredient ee) is a water-soluble, film-forming polymer. Ingredient ee)is selected from the group consisting of vinylalcohol/poly(alkyleneoxy)acrylate, vinyl alcohol/vinylacetate/poly-(alkyleneoxy)acrylate, polyethylene oxide, polypropyleneoxide, acrylates/octyl-acrylamide copolymers and mixtures thereof.

Ingredient ff) is a wax. “Wax” means a lower-melting organic mixture orcompound of high molecular weight, solid at room temperature andgenerally similar in composition to fats and oils except that theycontain no glycerides. Some are hydrocarbons, others are esters of fattyacids and alcohols. Waxes useful in this invention are selected from thegroup consisting of animal waxes, vegetable waxes, mineral waxes,various fractions of natural waxes, synthetic waxes, petroleum waxes,ethylenic polymers, hydrocarbon types such as Fischer-Tropsch waxes,silicone waxes, and mixtures thereof wherein the waxes have a meltingpoint between 55 and 100° C.

Ingredient o) is surfactant, as described above. Ingredient o) in themascara is preferably a surfactant having an HLB from 3 to 15. Suitablesurfactants include those disclosed in the C.T.F.A. Cosmetic IngredientHandbook, pp. 587-592 (1992); Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 15thed., pp. 335-337 (1975); and McCutcheon's Volume 1, Emulsifiers &Detergents, North American Edition, pp. 236-239 (1994).

Ingredient gg) is a pigment. Suitable pigments include inorganicpigments, organic lake pigments, pearlescent pigments, and mixturesthereof. Inorganic pigments useful in this invention include thoseselected from the group consisting of rutile or anatase titaniumdioxide, coded in the Color Index under the reference CI 77,891; black,yellow, red and brown iron oxides, coded under references CI 77,499,77,492 and, 77,491; manganese violet (CI 77,742); ultramarine blue (CI77,007); chromium oxide (CI 77,288); chromium hydrate (CI 77,289); andferric blue (CI 77,510); and mixtures thereof.

The organic pigments and lakes useful in this invention include thoseselected from the group consisting of D&C Red No. 19 (CI 45,170), D&CRed No. 9 (CI 15,585), D&C Red No. 21 (CI 45,380), D&C Orange No. 4 (CI15,510), D&C Orange No. 5 (CI 45,370), D&C Red No. 27 (CI 45,410), D&CRed No. 13 (CI 15,630), D&C Red No. 7 (CI 15,850), D&C Red No. 6 (CI15,850), D&C Yellow No. 5 (CI 19,140), D&C Red No. 36 (CI 12,085), D&COrange No. 10 (CI 45,425), D&C Yellow No. 6 (CI 15,985), D&C Red No. 30(CI 73,360), D&C Red No. 3 (CI 45,430), and the dye or lakes based onCochineal Carmine (CI 75,570), and mixtures thereof.

The pearlescent pigments useful in this invention include those selectedfrom the group consisting of the white pearlescent pigments such as micacoated with titanium oxide, bismuth oxychloride, colored pearlescentpigments such as titanium mica with iron oxides, titanium mica withferric blue, chromium oxide and the like, titanium mica with an organicpigment of the above-mentioned type as well as those based on bismuthoxychloride and mixtures thereof.

Ingredient s) is a solvent described above, preferably water.

The amount of A) the PGF added to the mascara is as described above fortopical compositions.

The PGF's may also be administered in the form of liposome deliverysystems, such as small unilamellar vesicles, large unilamellar vesicles,and multilamellar vesicles. Liposomes can be formed from a variety ofphospholipids, such as cholesterol, stearylamine orphosphatidylcholines. A preferred formulation for topical delivery ofthe present compounds uses liposomes as described in Dowton et al.,“Influence of Liposomal Composition on Topical Delivery of EncapsulatedCyclosporin A: I. An in vitro Study Using Hairless Mouse Skin”, S.T.P.Pharma Sciences, Vol. 3, pp. 404-407 (1993); Wallach and Philippot, “NewType of Lipid Vesicle: Novasomeo®”, Liposome Technology, Vol. 1, pp.141-156 (1993); Wallach, U.S. Pat. No. 4,911,928, assigned to Micro-Pak,Inc., issued Mar. 27, 1990; and Weiner et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,834,014,assigned to The University of Michigan and Micro-Pak, Inc., issued Nov.10, 1998 (with respect to Weiner et al., with a compound as describedherein administered in lieu of, or in addition to, minoxidil).

The PGF's may also be administered by iontophoresis. See, e.g., Internetsite www.unipr.it/arpa/dipfarm/erasmus/erasm14.html; Banga et al.,“Hydrogel-based Iontotherapeutic Delivery Devices for TransdermalDelivery of Peptide/Protein Drugs”, Pharm. Res., Vol. 10 (5), pp.697-702 (1993); Ferry, “Theoretical Model of Iontophoresis Utilized inTransdermal Drug Delivery”, Pharmaceutical Acta Helvetiae, Vol 70, pp.279-287 (1995); Gangarosa et al., “Modem Iontophoresis for Local DrugDelivery”, Int. J. Pharm., Vol. 123, pp. 159-171 (1995); Green et al.,“Iontophoretic Delivery of a Series of Tripeptides Across the Skin invitro”, Pharm Res., Vol 8, pp. 1121-1127 (1991); Jadoul et al.,“Quantification and Localization of Fentanyl and TRH Delivered byIontophoresis in the Skin”, Int. J. Pharm., Vol. 120, pp. 221-8 (1995);O'Brien et al., “An Updated Review of its Antiviral Activity,Pharmacokinetic Properties and Therapeutic Efficacy”, Drugs, Vol. 37,pp. 233-309 (1989); Parry et al., “Acyclovir Biovailability in HumanSkin”,J. Invest. Dermatol., Vol. 98 (6), pp. 856-63 (1992); Santi etal., “Drug Reservoir Composition and Transport of Salmon Calcitonin inTransdermal lontophoresis”, Pharm Res., Vol 14 (1), pp. 63-66 (1997);Santi et al., “Reverse Iontophoresis-Parameters DeterminingElectroosmotic Flow: I. pH and Ionic Strength”,J. Control. Release, Vol.38, pp. 159-165 (1996); Santi et al., “Reverse lontophoresis-ParametersDetermining Electroosmotic Flow: II. Electrode Chamber Formulation”,J.Control. Release, Vol. 42, pp. 29-36 (1996); Rao et al., “ReverseIontophoresis: Noninvasive Glucose Monitoring in vivo in Humans”, PharmRes., Vol. 12 (12), pp. 1869-1873 (1995); Thysman et al., “HumanCalcitonin Delivery in Rats by Iontophoresis”,J. Pharm. Pharmacol., Vol.46, pp. 725-730 (1994); and Volpato et al., “Iontophoresis Enhances theTransport of Acyclovir through Nude Mouse Skin by Electrorepulsion andElectroosmosis”, Pharm Res., Vol. 12 (11), pp. 1623-1627 (1995).

The PGF's may be included in kits comprising a PGF, a systemic ortopical composition described above, or both; and information,instructions, or both that use of the kit will provide treatment forhair loss in mammals (particularly humans). The information andinstructions may be in the form of words, pictures, or both, and thelike. In addition or in the alternative, the kit may comprise a PGF, acomposition, or both; and information, instructions, or both, regardingmethods of application of the PGF or composition, preferably with thebenefit of treating hair loss in mammals.

Methods of the Invention

This invention further relates to a method for treating hair loss inmammals. The method comprises administering to a mammal (preferably ahuman) suffering from hair loss, a PGF described above. For example, amammal diagnosed with alopecia including male pattern baldness andfemale pattern baldness can be treated by the methods of this invention.Preferably, a systemic or topical composition comprising A) the PGF andB) a carrier is administered to the mammal. More preferably, thecomposition is a topical composition comprising A) the PGF, B) thecarrier, and C) an optional activity enhancer.

The dosage of the PGF administered depends on the method ofadministration. For systemic administration, (e.g., oral, rectal, nasal,sublingual, buccal, or parenteral), typically, 0.5 mg to 300 mg,preferably 0.5 mg to 100 mg, more preferably 0.1 mg to 10 mg, of a PGFdescribed above is administered per day. These dosage ranges are merelyexemplary, and daily administration can be adjusted depending on variousfactors. The specific dosage of the PGF to be administered, as well asthe duration of treatment, and whether the treatment is topical orsystemic are interdependent. The dosage and treatment regimen will alsodepend upon such factors as the specific PGF used, the treatmentindication, the efficacy of the compound, the personal attributes of thesubject (such as, for example, weight, age, sex, and medical conditionof the subject), compliance with the treatment regimen, and the presenceand severity of any side effects of the treatment.

For topical administration (e.g., local application on the skin, ocular,liposome delivery systems, or iontophoresis), the topical composition istypically administered once per day. The topical compositions areadministered daily for a relatively short amount of time (i.e., on theorder of weeks). Generally, 6 to 12 weeks is sufficient. The topicalcompositions are preferably leave-on compositions. In general, thetopical composition should not be removed for at least several hoursafter administration.

In addition to the benefits in treating hair loss, the inventors havesurprisingly found that the PGF's in the compositions and methods ofthis invention also darken and thicken hair and may reverse hairgraying. This invention further relates to a method for darkening andthickening hair. The method comprises applying the topical compositionfor treating hair loss to growing hair and skin in the locus of thegrowing hair. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the topicalcomposition, such as the mascara composition described above, is appliedto eyelashes.

EXAMPLES

These examples are intended to illustrate the invention to those skilledin the art and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of theinvention set forth in the claims.

Reference Example 1 Radioligand Binding Assay

IC₅₀ of a PGF can be determined relative to PGF_(2α) using theRadioligand Binding Assay. As a control, the IC₅₀ for PGF_(2α) a itselfshould be no lower than 1.0 nM and no higher than 5.0 nM.

In this assay, COS-7 cells are transiently transfected with the hFPrecombinant plasmid using LipofectAMINE Reagent. Forty-eight hourslater, the tranfected cells are washed with Hank's Balanced SaltSolution (HBSS, without CaCl₂, MgCl₂, MgSO₄, or phenol red). The cellsare detached with versene, and HBSS is added. The mixture is centrifugedat 200 g for 10 minutes, at 4° C. to pellet the cells. The pellet isresuspended in Phosphate-Buffered Saline-EDTA buffer (PBS; 1 mM EDTA; pH7.4; 4° C.). The cells are disrupted by nitrogen cavitation (Parr model4639), at 800 psi, for 15 minutes at 4° C. The mixture is centrifuged at1000 g for 10 minutes at 4° C. The supernatant is centrifuged at 100,000g for 60 minutes at 4° C. The pellet is resuspended to 1 mg protein/mLTME buffer (50 mM Tris; 10 mM MgCl2; 1 mM EDTA; pH 6.0; 4° C.) based onprotein levels measured using the Pierce BCA Protein Assay kit. Thehomogenate is mixed for 10 seconds using a Kinematica POLYTRON®(available from KINEMATICA AG, Luzernerstrasse147A CH-6014 Littau,Switzerland). The membrane preparations are then stored at −80° C.,until thawed for assay use.

The receptor competition binding assays are developed in a 96 wellformat. Each well contains 100 g of hFP membrane, 5 nM (3H) PGF2, andthe various competing compounds in a total volume of 200 L. The platesare incubated at 23° C. for 1 hour. The incubation is terminated byrapid filtration using the Packard Filtermate 196 harvester throughPackard UNIFILTER® GF/B filters (available from Packard Instrument Co.,Inc. of Downers Grove Ill.) pre-wetted with TME buffer. The filter iswashed four times with TME buffer. Packard Microscint 20, a highefficiency liquid scintillation cocktail, is added to the filter platewells and the plates remain at room temperature for three hours prior tocounting. The plates are read on a Packard TOPCOUNT® MicroplateScintillation Counter (also available from Packard Instrument Co., Inc.)

Reference Example 2 Telogen Conversion Assay

PGF's are tested for their potential to grow hair using the TelogenConversion Assay. The Telogen Conversion Assay measures the potential ofa PGF to convert mice in the resting stage of the hair growth cycle(“telogen”), to the growth stage of the hair growth cycle (“anagen”).

Without intending to be limited by theory, there are three principalphases of the hair growth cycle: anagen, catagen, and telogen. It isbelieved that there is a longer telogen period in C3H mice (HarlanSprague Dawley, Inc., Indianapolis, Ind.) from approximately 40 days ofage until about 75 days of age, when hair growth is synchronized. It isbelieved that after 75 days of age, hair growth is no longersynchronized. Wherein about 40 day-old mice with dark fur (brown orblack) are used in hair growth experiments, melanogenesis occurs alongwith hair (fur) growth wherein the topical application of hair growthinducers are evaluated. The Telogen Conversion Assay herein is used toscreen PGF's for potential hair growth by measuring melanogenesis.

Three groups of 44 day-old C3H mice are used: a vehicle control group, apositive control group, and a test PGF group, wherein the test PGF groupis administered a PGF used in the method of this invention. The lengthof the assay is 24 days with 15 treatment days (wherein the treatmentdays occur Mondays through Fridays). Day 1 is the first day oftreatment. A typical study design is shown in Table 3 below. Typicaldosage concentrations are set forth in Table 3, however the skilledartisan will readily understand that such concentrations may bemodified.

TABLE 3 Assay Parameters Group Animal Concen- Application Length of # #Compound tration volume Study 1  1-10 Test 0.01% in 400 μL topical 26days Compound vehicle** 2 11-20 Positive 0.01% in 400 μL topical 26 daysControl vehicle** (T3)* 3 21-30 Vehicle** N/A 400 μL topical 26 days *T3is 3,5,3′-triiodothyronine. **The vehicle is 60% ethanol, 20% propyleneglycol, and 20% dimethyl isosorbide (commercially available from SigmaChemical Co., St. Louis, MO).

The mice are treated topically Monday through Friday on their lower back(base of tail to the lower rib). A pipettor and tip are used to deliver400 μL to each mouse's back. The 400 μL application is applied slowlywhile moving hair on the mouse to allow the application to reach theskin.

While each treatment is being applied to the mouse topically, a visualgrade of from 0 to 4 will be given to the skin color in the applicationarea of each animal. As a mouse converts from telogen to anagen, itsskin color will become more bluish-black. As indicated in Table 4, thegrades 0 to 4 represent the following visual observations as the skinprogresses from white to bluish-black.

TABLE 4 Evaluation Criteria Visual Observation Grade Whitish Skin Color0 Skin is light gray (indication of initiation of anagen) 1 Appearanceof Blue Spots 2 Blue Spots are aggregating to form one large blue area 3Skin is dark blue (almost black) with color covering majority of 4treatment area (indication of mouse in full anagen)

Example 1

13,14-dihydro-15-(2-benzathiozolyl) pentanor Prostaglandin F₁α, havingthe structure:

was tested according to the method Reference Example 1.13,14-dihydro-15-(2-benzathiozolyl) pentanor Prostaglandin F₁α grew hairand had IC₅₀ of 45nM.

Comparative Example 1

Latanoprost, having the structure:

was tested according to the method Reference Example 1. Latanoprost wasactive at 0.01% and 0.1%. Grades representing the average animal scoreon day 26 are reported in Table 5.

However, latanoprost is nonselective. Although latanoprost does notnegate the effect of activating the FP receptor, latanoprost alsoactivates the EP₁ receptor, which which results in the side effect ofcausing pain.

Example 2

Fluprostenol Methyl Ester having the structure:

was tested according to the method Reference Example 1. Fluprostenolgrew hair at 0.01% and 0.1%. Grades representing the average animalscore on day, 26 are reported in Table 5.

TABLE 5 Grades Example PGF 0.01% 0.1% Comparative latanaprost 0.71 2.9Example 1 Example 2 fluprostenol 3.9 2.6 methyl ester

Comparative Example 2

A composition containing 0.01% of a T3 compound was prepared and testedaccording to the method of Reference Example 1. The T3 compound grewhair.

Example 3

Compositions for topical administration are made, comprising:

Component 3-1 3-2 3-3 PGF (wt %) 0.019 0.027 0.045 IC₅₀ the PGF (nM) 1927 45 Ethanol (wt %) 59.988 59.983 59.973 Propylene Glycol (wt %) 19.99619.995 19.991 Dimethyl Isosorbide (wt %) 19.996 19.995 19.991The PGFs in the compositions are as follows:

Sample PGF 3-1

3-2

3-3

A human male subject suffering from male pattern baldness is treated bya method of this invention. Specifically, for 6 weeks, one of the abovecompositions is daily administered topically to the subject to inducehair growth.

Example 4

A composition for topical administration is made according to the methodof Dowton et al., “Influence of Liposomal Composition on TopicalDelivery of Encapsulated Cyclosporin A: I. An in vitro Study UsingHairless Mouse Skin”, S.T.P. Pharma Sciences, Vol. 3, pp. 404-407(1993), using a PGF in lieu of cyclosporin A and using the NOVASOME® 1(available from Micro-Pak, Inc. of Wilmington, Del.) for the non-ionicliposomal formulation.

A human male subject suffering from male pattern baldness is treatedeach day with the above composition. Specifically, for 6 weeks, theabove composition is administered topically to the subject.

Example 5

Shampoos are made, comprising:

Ex. 5-1 Ex. 5-2 Ex. 5-3 Ex. 5-4 Component Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate  11.5% 11.5%  9.5%  7.5% Ammonium Laureth Sulfate    4%    3%    2%    2%Cocamide MEA    2%    2%    2%    2% Ethylene Glycol Distearate    2%   2%    2%    2% Cetyl Alcohol    2%    2%    2%    2% Stearyl Alcohol 1.2%  1.2%  1.2%  1.2% Glycerin    1%    1%    1%    1% Polyquaternium10  0.5%  0.25% — — Polyquaternium 24 — —  0.5%  0.25% Sodium Chloride 0.1%  0.1%  0.1%  0.1% Sucrose Polyesters of Cottonate    3%    3% — —Fatty Acid Sucrose Polyesters of Behenate    2%    3% — — Fatty AcidPolydimethyl Siloxane — —    3%    2% Cocaminopropyl Betaine —    1%   3%    3% Lauryl Dimethyl Amine Oxide  1.5%  1.5%  1.5%  1.5% DecylPolyglucose — —    1%    1% DMDM Hydantoin  0.15%  0.15%  0.15%  0.15%PGF having IC₅₀ of 19 nM — 0.019% 0.019% — PGF having IC₅₀ of 45 nM0.045% — — 0.045% Minoxidil    3%    2% Phenoxyethanol  0.5%  0.5%  0.5% 0.5% Fragrance  0.5%  0.5%  0.5%  0.5% Water q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s.The PGF having IC₅₀ of 19 nM is the same as that in Example 3-1.The PGF having IC₅₀ of 45 nM is the same as that in Example 3-3.

A human subject suffering from male pattern baldness is treated by amethod of this invention. Specifically, for 12 weeks, a shampoodescribed above is used daily by the subject.

Example 6

A mascara composition is prepared. The composition comprises:

Component % W/W WATER, DEIONIZED, USP q.s BLACK 1080 MICRONIZED TYPE10.000 GLYCERYL MONOSTEARATE (2400 TYPE) 8.500 C18–36 ACID TRIGLYCERIDE5.500 STEARIC ACID, TRIPLE PRESSED, LIQUID 4.000 ETHYL ALCOHOL SD 40-B,190 PROOF/SERIAL #: 4.000 BEESWAX WHITE, FLAKES 3.250 SHELLAC, NF 3.000LECITHIN, GRANULAR (TYPE 6450) 2.500 TRIETHANOLAMINE 99% - TANK 2.470PARAFFIN WAX 2.250 PARAFFIN WAX 118/125 2.250 CARNAUBA WAX, NF 2.000POTASSIUM CETYL PHOSPHATE 1.000 PHENOXYETHANOL 0.800 OLEIC ACID NF 0.750DL-PANTHENOL 0.350 PVP/VA COPOLYMER 0.250 METHYLPARABEN, NF 0.200DIAZOLIDINYL UREA 0.200 SIMETHICONE 0.200 ETHYLPARABEN NF 0.150PENTAERYTHRITYL HYDROGENATED ROSINATE 0.150 PROPYLPARABEN, NF 0.100TRISODIUM EDTA 0.100 PGF having IC₅₀ of 19 nM 0.019The PGF is the same as that used in Example 3-1.A human female subject applies the composition each day. Specifically,for 6 weeks, the above composition is administered topically to thesubject to darken and thicken eyelashes.

Example 7

Pharmaceutical compositions in the form of tablets are prepared byconventional methods, such as mixing and direct compaction, formulatedas follows:

Quantity Ingredient (mg per tablet) PGF 0.5 Microcrystalline Cellulose100 Sodium Starch Glycollate 30 Magnesium Stearate 3

The PGF is the same as that used in Example 3-3.

The above composition is administered orally to a subject once daily for6 to 12 weeks to promote hair growth.

Example 8

Pharmaceutical compositions in liquid form are prepared by conventionalmethods, formulated as follows:

Ingredient Quantity PGF  0.1 mg Phosphate buffered   10 ml physiologicalsaline Methyl Paraben 0.05 ml

The PGF is the same as that used in Example 3-3.

1.0 ml of the above composition is administered subcutaneously oncedaily at the site of hair loss for 6 to 12 weeks to promote hair growth.

Example 9

A topical pharmaceutical composition is prepared by conventional methodsand formulated as follows:

Ingredient Amount (wt %) PGF 0.004 Dextran 70 0.1 Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose 0.3 Sodium Chloride 0.77 Potassium chloride 0.12Disodium EDTA (Edetate disodium) 0.05 Benzalkonium chloride 0.01 HCLand/or NaOH pH 7.2–7.5 Purified water q.s. to 100%

The PGF is the same as that used in Example 3-3.

The above composition is administered ocularly to a subject once per dayfor 6 to 12 weeks to promote eyelash growth.

Effects of the Invention

The compositions and methods herein provide a cosmetic benefit withrespect to hair growth and appearance in subjects desiring suchtreatment.

1. A method of treating hair loss comprising administering to a mammal acomposition comprising: A) an active ingredient selected from the groupconsisting of a prostaglandin F analog having a structure selected fromthe group consisting of

pharmaceutically acceptable salts and hydrates of the structures above;biohydrolyzable amides, esters, and imides of the structures above;optical isomers, diastereomers, and enantiomers of the structures above;and combinations thereof; wherein R¹ is selected from the groupconsisting of C(O)OH, C(O)NHOH, C(O)OR³, CH₂OH, S(O)₂R³, C(O)NHR³,C(O)NHS(O)₂R⁴, tetrazole, a cationic salt moiety, a pharmaceuticallyacceptable amine or ester comprising 2 to 13 carbon atoms, and abiometabolizable amine or ester comprising 2 to 13 atoms; R² is selectedfrom the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, a lower heterogenousgroup, and a lower monovalent hydrocarbon group; R³ is selected from thegroup consisting of a monovalent hydrocarbon group, a heterogeneousgroup, a carbocyclic group, a heterocyclic group, an aromatic group, aheteroaromatic group, a substituted monovalent hydrocarbon group, asubstituted heterogeneous group, a substituted carbocyclic group, asubstituted heterocyclic group, a substituted aromatic group, and asubstituted heteroaromatic group; R⁴ is selected from the groupconsisting of a monovalent hydrocarbon group, a heterogeneous group, acarbocyclic group, a heterocyclic group, an aromatic group, aheteroaromatic group, a substituted monovalent hydrocarbon group, asubstituted heterogeneous group, a substituted carbocyclic group, asubstituted heterocyclic group, a substituted aromatic group, and asubstituted heteroaromatic group; X is selected from the groupconsisting of —C≡C—, a covalent bond, —CH═C═CH—, —CH═CH—, —CH═N—,—C(O)—, —C(O)Y—, —(CH₂)_(n)—, wherein n is 2 to 4, —CH₂NH—, —CH₂S—, and—CH₂O—; Y is selected from the group consisting of a sulfur atom, anoxygen atom, and NH; and Z is selected from the group consisting of acarbocyclic group, a heterocyclic group, an aromatic group, aheteroaromatic group, a substituted carbocyclic group, a substitutedheterocyclic group, a substituted aromatic group, and a substitutedheteroaromatic group, with the proviso that when the bond at the C2-C3position is a single bond, the bond at the C5-C6 position is a doublebond, R¹ is C(O)OR³ and R³ is a monovalent hydrocarbon group orsubstituted monovalent hydrocarbon group, then R² is not hydrogen. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein R¹ is selected from the group consistingof CO₂H, C(O)NHOH, CO₂R³, C(O)NHS(O)₂R⁴, and tetrazole.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein R² is a hydrogen atom.
 4. The method of claim 1,wherein R³ is selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, andisopropyl.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein R⁴ is a phenyl group. 6.The method of claim 1, wherein X is a covalent bond and Z is selectedfrom the group consisting of an aromatic ring, a heteroaromatic ring, asubstituted aromatic ring, and a substituted heteroaromatic ring.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein X is —C≡C—, and Z is a monocyclic aromaticring.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition is administeredby a route selected from the group consisting of systemic and topicalroutes.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the composition is a topicalcomposition in a form selected from the group consisting of solutions,oils, creams, ointments, gels, lotions, shampoos, leave-on and rinse-outhair conditioners, milks, cleansers, moisturizers, sprays, and skinpatches.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the composition is a topicalcomposition further comprising B) a carrier, wherein the carrier isselected from the group consisting of water, alcohols, aloe vera gel,allantoin, glycerin, vitamin A and E oils, mineral oil, propyleneglycol, dimethyl isosorbide, polypropylene glycol-2 myristyl propionate,and combinations thereof.
 11. The method of claim 8, wherein thecomposition further comprises C) an activity enhancer selected from thegroup consisting of i) a hair growth stimulant, ii) a penetrationenhancer, and combinations thereof.
 12. The method of claim 11, whereincomponent i) is selected from the group vasodilator, an antiandrogen, acyclosporin, a cyclosporin analog, an antimicrobial, ananti-inflammatory, a thyroid hormone, a thyroid hormone derivative, anda thyroid hormone analog, a non-selective prostaglandin agonist, anon-selective prostaglandin antagonist, a retinoid, a triterpene, andcombinations thereof.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein component ii)is selected from the group consisting of 2-methyl propan-2-ol,propan-2-ol, ethyl-2-hydroxypropanoate, hexan-2,5-diol,polyoxyethylene(2) ethyl ether, di(2-hydroxypropyl) ether,pentan-2,4-diol, acetone, polyoxyethylene(2) methyl ether,2-hydroxypropionic acid, 2-hydroxyoctanoic acid, propan-1-ol,1,4-dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, butan-1,4-diol, propylene glycoldipelargonate, polyoxypropylene 15 stearyl ether, octyl alcohol,polyoxyethylene ester of oleyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol, lauryl alcohol,dioctyl adipate, dicapryl adipate, di-isopropyl adipate, di-isopropylsebacate, dibutyl sebacate, diethyl sebacate, dimethyl sebacate, dioctylsebacate, dibutyl suberate, dioctyl azelate, dibenzyl sebacate, dibutylphthalate, dibutyl azelate, ethyl myristate, dimethyl azelate, butylmyristate, dibutyl succinate, didecyl phthalate, decyl oleate, ethylcaproate, ethyl salicylate, isopropyl palmitate, ethyl laurate,2-ethyl-hexyl pelargonate, isopropyl isostearate, butyl laurate, benzylbenzoate, butyl benzoate, hexyl laurate, ethyl caprate, ethyl caprylate,butyl stearate, benzyl salicylate, 2-hydroxypropanoic acid,2-hydroxyoctanoic acid, dimethyl sulphoxide, N,N-dimethyl acetamide,N,N-dimethyl formamide, 2-pyrrolidone, 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone,5-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, 1,5-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidone,1-ethyl-2-pyrrolidone, phosphine oxides, sugar esters,tetrahydrofurfural alcohol, urea, diethyl-m-toluamide,1-dodecylazacyloheptan-2-one, and combinations thereof.
 14. The methodof claim 8, wherein the composition is a topical composition locallyadministered on the skin once per day.
 15. The method of claim 14,wherein the composition is administered once per day for 6 to 12 weeks.16. The method of claim 1, wherein R¹ is selected from the groupconsisting of C(O)NHOH, C(O)OR³, CH₂OH, S(O)₂R³, C(O)NHR³,C(O)NHS(O)₂R⁴, tetrazole, a cationic salt moiety, a pharmaceuticallyacceptable amine or ester comprising 2 to 13 carbon atoms, and abiometabolizable amine or ester comprising 2 to 13 atoms; and R³ isselected from the group consisting of a heterogeneous group, acarbocyclic group, a heterocyclic group, an aromatic group, aheteroaromatic group, a substituted monovalent hydrocarbon group, asubstituted heterogeneous group, a substituted carbocyclic group, asubstituted heterocyclic group, a substituted aromatic group, and asubstituted heteroaromatic group.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein R³is selected from the group consisting of a heterogeneous group, acarbocyclic group, a heterocyclic group, an aromatic group, aheteroaromatic group, a substituted heterogeneous group, a substitutedcarbocyclic group, a substituted heterocyclic group, a substitutedaromatic group, and a substituted heteroaromatic group.
 18. A method oftreating hair loss comprising administering to a mammal a compositioncomprising: A) an active ingredient selected from the group consistingof a prostaglandin F analog having a structure selected from the groupconsisting of

pharmaceutically acceptable salts and hydrates of the structures above;biohydrolyzable amides, esters, and imides of the structures above;optical isomers, diastereomers, and enantiomers of the structures above;and combinations thereof; wherein R¹ is selected from the groupconsisting of C(O)OH, C(O)NHOH, C(O)OR³, CH₂OH, S(O)₂R³, C(O)NHR³,C(O)NHS(O)₂R⁴, tetrazole, a cationic salt moiety, a pharmaceuticallyacceptable amine or ester comprising 2 to 13 carbon atoms, and abiometabolizable amine or ester comprising 2 to 13 atoms; R² is selectedfrom the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, a lower heterogeneousgroup, and a lower monovalent hydrocarbon group; R³ is selected from thegroup consisting of a monovalent hydrocarbon group, a heterogeneousgroup, a carbocyclic group, a heterocyclic group, an aromatic group, aheteroaromatic group, a substituted monovalent hydrocarbon group, asubstituted heterogeneous group, a substituted carbocyclic group, asubstituted heterocyclic group, a substituted aromatic group, and asubstituted heteroaromatic group; R⁴ is selected from the groupconsisting of a monovalent hydrocarbon group, a heterogeneous group, acarbocyclic group, a heterocyclic group, an aromatic group, aheteroaromatic group, a substituted monovalent hydrocarbon group, asubstituted heterogeneous group, a substituted carbocyclic group, asubstituted heterocyclic group, a substituted aromatic group, and asubstituted heteroaromatic group; X is selected from the groupconsisting of -C≡C-, a covalent bond, -CH═C═-CH-, -CH═CH-, -CH═N-,-C(O)-, -C(O)Y-, -(CH₂)n-, wherein n is 2 to 4, -CN₂NH-, -CH₂S-, and-CH₂)-; Y is selected from the group consisting of a sulfur atom, anoxygen atom, and NH; and Z is selcted from the group consisting of acarbocyclic group, a heterocyclic group, an aromatic group, aheteroaromatic group, a substituted carbocyclic group, a substitutedheterocyclic group, a substituted aromatic group, and a substitutedheteroaromatic group, with the proviso that when the bond at the C2-C3position is a single bond, the bond at the C5-C6 position is a doublebond, R¹ is C(O)OH or C(O)OR³ and R³ is a monovalent hydrocarbon groupor substituted monovalent hydrocarbon group, then X is selected from thegroup consisting of -C≡C-, -CH═C═CH-, -CH═CH- and -CH═N-.
 19. The methodof claim 18, wherein the composition is administered by a route selectedfrom the group consisting of systemic and topical routes.
 20. A methodof treating hair loss comprising administering to a mammal a compositioncomprising: A) an active ingredient selected from the group consistingof a prostaglandin F analog having a structure selected from the groupconsisting of

pharmaceutically acceptable salts and hydrates of the structures above;biohydrolyzable amides, esters, and imides of the structures above;optical isomers, diastereomers, and enantiomers of the structures above;and combinations thereof; wherein R¹ is selected from the groupconsisting of C(O)OH, C(O)NHOH, C(O)OR³, CH₂OH, S(O)₂R³, C(O)NHR³,C(O)NHS(O)₂R⁴, tetrazole, a cationic salt moiety, a pharmaceuticallyacceptable amine or ester comprising 2 to 13 carbon atoms, and abiometabolizable amine or ester comprising 2 to 13 atoms; R² is selectedfrom the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, a lower heterogeneousgroup, and a lower monovalent hydrocarbon group; R³ is selected from thegroup consisting of a monovalent hydrocarbon group, a heterogeneousgroup, a carbocyclic group, a heterocyclic group, an aromatic group, aheteroaromatic group, a substituted monovalent hydrocarbon group, asubstituted heterogeneous group, a substituted carbocyclic group, asubstituted heterocyclic group, a substituted aromatic group, and asubstituted heteroaromatic group; R⁴ selected from the group consistingof a monovalent hydrocarbon group, a heterogeneous group, a carbocyclicgroup, a heterocyclic group, an aromatic group, a heteroaromatic group,a substituted monovalent hydrocarbon group, a substituted heterogeneousgroup, a substituted carbocyclic group, a substituted heterocyclicgroup, a substituted aromatic group, and a substituted heteroaromaticgroup; X is selected from the group consisting of -C≡C-, a covalentbond, -CH═C═CH-, -CH═CH-, -CH═N-, -C(O)-, -C(O)Y-, -(CH₂)_(n)-, whereinn is 2 to 4, -CH₂NH-, -CH₂S-, and -CH₂)-; Y is selected from the groupconsisting of a sulfur atom, an oxygen atom, and NH; and Z is selectedfrom the group consisting of a carbocyclic group, a heterocyclic group,an aromatic group, a heteroaromatic group, a substituted carbocyclicgroup, a substituted heterocyclic group, a substituted aromatic group,and a substituted heteroaromatic group, with the proviso that when thebond at the C2-C3 position is a single bond, the bond at the C5-C6position is a double bond, R¹ is C(O)OH or C(O)OR³ and R³ is amonovalent hydrocarbon group or substituted monovalent hydrocarbongroup, then Z is selected from the group consisting of a heterocyclicgroup, a substituted heterocyclic group and a substituted heteroaromaticgroup.